Archived News Release: May 13, 2019 - All are invited on Sunday, June 23, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. as the Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark, in partnership with City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation and GIVE 365, host a free event celebrating the five-year anniversary of the skatepark's grand opening.
This year's event, Light Up The Park, will feature guest athletes including nine-time skateboarding world champion Andy Macdonald, recent Birdhouse Skateboards pro Alec Beck, musician and professional skateboarder Ron Allen, LA Rams running back and skateboarder John Kelly, Midwest hero and nearly pro skater Gabby Rataiczak, and Arizona Skate Rising program manager/skateboarder Janthavy Norton. The day-long event will also include food to purchase, music, skateboarding competitions and a vendor area.
Light Up The Park kicks off of the Friends' Campaign to help fund much-needed lighting for the skatepark. Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark Founder Trevor Staples at [email protected] or calling 734.223.9837.
Event organizers note that from September to April, there are up to six hours less sunlight than during the summer months. This dramatically cuts down on the time that skateboarders, rollerbladers and scooter riders can practice their sports. As with the baseball and softball diamonds in Veterans Memorial Park, lights for the skatepark will offer users the opportunity for many more hours of recreation each day.
The Light up the Park five-year anniversary is part of a weekend of events showcasing and celebrating skateparks funded by the Tony Hawk Foundation and Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation. Friday, June 21 is International Go Skateboarding Day. Detroit's Riverside Park Skatepark will have its grand opening on Saturday, June 22. Contact Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark for information on the other great events happening that weekend.
The Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions to The Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
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