At the Campbell County Skate Park, the newly implemented water fountain provides a new option for local skateboarders Tuesday.
Six years after its debut, Campbell County’s skatepark Halfpipe Alley has implemented its first water fountain for thirsty skaters.
At most recreational facilities, accommodations like water fountains or resting spots are just expected by attendees, 26-year-old Austin Peterson said Sunday. However, local skateboarders have never felt entitled to extra amenities being provided at their park, he further explained.
Peterson has ridden a skateboard since he was 10 years old and has become extremely familiar with the skate park since its opening in June 2014. For years, he’s advocated to friends and family, or anyone else who would listen, for a water fountain to be added to the park.
“Do you know how many kids drink out of those sprinklers?” Peterson pointed out. “We’re exercising in the sun with no water. Imagine if they built the Recreation Center without a water fountain.”
For skaters, the sloped slabs of concrete off 4-J Road are like an outdoor gym, field, track, or court – a kickback spot all in one, Peterson said. This is why those who utilize the park regularly take such pride in it, he went on.
“Most of us older guys grew up here, or at the old skate park, and we’ve always dealt with people profiling us because of our interests,” he said, referring to the stereotype that skaters are ne’er-do-wells and hooligans.
“But we love this park, and we don’t allow people to trash the place that raised us.” – Peterson
Another Gillette skater, 20-year-old Jordan Salziger, has utilized the skate park since its opening and said that he makes a point of keeping the new location clean and friendly.
“I’m always telling the younger kids that it’s a privilege to be here,” Salziger said. “The county doesn’t have to do anything for us. If we don’t take care of our park, why would they keep spending money it?”
Campbell County Parks and Recreation (CCPR) Parks Superintendent Kevin Geer agreed, saying that he often sees skateboarders volunteering their time and energy to keeping the facility presentable.
“There’s almost never a time when I have to clean up the skate park by myself,” Geer said. “The skaters will always come help us out.”
Geer said that the lack of bathrooms and water fountains at Halfpipe Alley have presented ongoing complications for surrounding buildings like Campbell County Public Health.
According to Geer, skateboarders used water in Public Health for years before Executive Director Jane Glasser approached the Campbell County Board of Commissioners asking them to provide another option for them.
“I don’t think the majority of skaters caused problems at Public Health, but a few kids fooling around can ruin those options for everyone,” Geer said.
The fountains’ implementation was handled completely by CCPR, Geer explained. The entire process cost just under $3,000, which was $500 under their originally projected budget, and took only a few weeks to finish.
The project would have been completed in March or April, had it not been postponed due to COVID-19, Geer further explained.
Skateboarders, bikers and scooter kids finally were able to use the fountain two weeks ago when it was first introduced.
Last week, Salziger took his first sip from the new water fountain after routinely searching for a water bottle in his car “for like five whole minutes,” he said.
“It’s just like any other water fountain, it’s not quite tall enough and you gotta hold the button for a second before the water cools down,” he joked. “But we definitely won’t take it for granted.”
