Skateboarders short on cash for GR park

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Roberto Clemente Skate Park organizers in Grand Rapids are still grinding as they try to raise money for a real park.
 
"It's something to skate for now. A temporary," said Chris Gray of Clemente Skate Park.

Gray has plans for a $1.25-million park. For now, he and co-workers at Premier Skate Shop have created wooden ramps, which Gray said eventually decay out in the elements.

"You just need a little bit more space that would show Grand Rapids justice," he said.

The frustration is clear among the skateboarders.

"This is the biggest town I've ever seen that doesn't have a skate park," said skateboarder Mike McBrian.
 
On Sunday, the skate park held its third annual fundraiser. For $10, attendees got all-you-can-eat pork and sides. There was also a silent auction.
 
"We're not sitting with very much money in our bank account. The big goal is $1.25 million. So, we're pretty far stretched from it," said Gray.
 
The effort for a new skate park hasn't gained much traction in the last three years.
 
Gray said he hopes big donors will step up, maybe including those who don't want skateboarders downtown.
 
Area police have been cracking down on skateboarders downtown by issuing tickets.
 
Skateboarder McBrian already got one of those tickets.
 
"First ticket's $100," he said.
 
"The second ticket will be double that, which is $200," his mother Lisa McBrian added.
 
Then, Mike explained, the fine doubles for every additional ticket.
 
At Grand Rapids Community College, campus police confiscate boards until the fine is paid.
 
Lisa McBrian hopes that the new skate park comes to fruition.
 
"They would have all the same elements that are attracting skaters to the downtown area, but downtown there's the risk of them getting into trouble," said Lisa McBrian.
 
"There'd be less skaters up at downtown Grand Rapids," added Mike McBrian.
 
McBrian said he'd probably still venture downtown to skate even if there was a skate park, but said he wouldn't go there as often.
 
But right now, he said, he doesn't have a lot of options.
 
"We have nowhere else to skate," he said.

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