Bolingbrook, Illinois * -- One of the Midwest's newest skateparks * has recently opened, and the public has been invited to come to the park's dedication on October 1st, 2005 * starting at 9AM.

"I've counted more than 70 at any one time using the facility, and that was before it was even completed," said Ray Ochromowicz, Bolingbrook director of parks and recreation.

The Central Park skateboard plaza * has now been open for a few weeks. According to park officials, the park is already visited by hundreds of skaters and skateboarders per day.

Skateboard demonstrations are planned for the dedication event, and local skate shops are expected to be on hand to give away prizes and showcase their products.

One of the skateboarders expected to be on hand for the dedication is 28 year old Yannick Malek, of Canada *, who started skating when he was 7 years old. Yannick has been ramp building for 15 years and a skate park consultant for 10 years, and served as a consultant on the Central Park Skate Plaza * project.

With the addition of the Central Park Skate Plaza, Bolingbrook now has two skateparks. The first in Indian Boundary Park, opened in May 2004 * and was built for $162,000.

The skate plaza which covers 14,400 square feet was constructed for a total of $350,000, is built almost completely of concrete and steel. Funding for the Central Park Skate Plaza project included in the state's 2004 bond referendum.

"It was our intention to create a new, cutting edge skate park that would be significantly different from the one at Indian Boundary, in order to provide skating enthusiasts with a wide range of activities and challenges," said Ochromowicz. "The plaza is a unique design that will make it one of the premier parks in the Chicago * area, if not the Midwest, and will provide an opportunity for residents on both sides of town access to a quality skate park."

"The contractor was really good with the kids, and told them they could use those portions of the park that had been completed, and to keep away from areas under construction," continued Ochromowicz. "It was common to see groups of 20, 30, 40 kids congregating shortly after schools would let out in the afternoon."

Like other skate plazas, it is designed to replicate features of street skateboarding in an outdoor park setting. The park reportedly includes 26 ledges, 17 staircases, 23 steps, 9 slide/skate benches, 8 rails, 7 ramps, 5 banks, 2 skate boxes, 1 jump ramp, and a platform.

The location of the skateboard plaza affords views of the Central Park and is visible from Interstate 55. The park is designed to be a place to wander, reflect, and relax, as well as skateboard. "That was one of the unique challenges of this project, to design something unique that replicated an urban, downtown-style environment built into the existing landscape," said Janet Cherbak, project manager for the Park District.

"We really wanted to create an environment that is safe and welcome," Cherbak said.

Equipment used in the project was manufactured by Solo Ramps of Quebec, Canada *. Malek, consultant for the Quebec-based company, said the park's features "reflect what today's young skaters and skateboarders see in videos, games and magazines."

He went on to say that multilevel location offers a combination of ramps, banks, rails, staircases, steps and benches that mirror the design of public plazas. Malek says he is also working on the design of a larger skate facility in Joliet, Illinois.

Malek is expected to be present at the Oct. 1 ceremony, although he unfortunately will not be skateboarding due to a recent knee injury.

Central Park Skate Plaza and the Indian Boundary Skate Park are free to the public. Bikes, skateboard, and roller blades are welcome. The park is located near the Northeast Frontage Road entrance to Annerino Drive in Bolingbrook. Currently there are no water fountain or washroom facilities, though the Annerino Center is located about 100 yards from the skate plaza. Washroom facilities may be added at a later date.

For more information, call the Bolingbrook Park District at (630) 739-0272.

This article was based on information in the article "Central Park Skate Plaza Event Scheduled" found at http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/ heraldnews/ourtown/JO25_ROUND_S1.htm and the article "'Cutting edge' skate park to be dedicated Oct. 1" found at http://www.lifenewspapers.com/story.php? pub=11&sid=19404

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