SUMMER 2019
Kutztown Skate Park
Facebook: @Kutztowncommunityskatepark
A few years ago, a very scary incident planted a seed in Deborah Clauss’s head. Her son was riding his skateboard, in the street, while she watched in horror as a car almost plowed right in to him. She had just enough time to grab him before tragedy would have struck. Shaken by what happened earlier that day, Clauss couldn’t sleep, so she thought about and researched safety for kids participating in roller sports. She began to think about all of the kids, just like her son, scooting, skateboarding, bike riding or roller blading unsafely, through the streets of Kutztown, and how older kids were constantly being shooed out of local parking lots. She discovered that the number one injury to children is being struck by a vehicle, and the idea for a Skate Park, or more accurately a multi-use roller sport park, was born.
One day Clauss struck up a Facebook conversation with a stranger, Andrew Kunkel. They connected on the idea of having a place for kids to safely skateboard, among other roller activities, in Kutztown. Together, as president and vice president, respectively, Clauss and Kunkel formed the Kutztown Community Skate Park Association (KCSPA), which is a 501(c)(3) organization. They went through the process of contacting the Borough and presenting their ideas, applying for grants and holding fundraisers.
In 2018, Tiffanie Devos-Little came onboard as the KCSPA’s marketing and public relations director, and she was instrumental in starting the annual Rockin Roller Concert fundraising event.
Their collective efforts paid off as the KCSPA received $4,000.00 in support from the Borough, a $5,000.00 grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation, and an additional $16,000.00 through fundraising, plus generous local business donations such as the Skate Park sign. The hope is to hold another Rockin Roller Concert, this August, for continued fundraising to help maintain and expand the Skate Park.
While Clauss admitted that a tremendous amount of time and personal front money went in to the project, she said, “when it comes down to it, it was worth it” for the safety of the kids and the peace of mind for parents. She noted that it was important to her that the Skate Park be located in the middle of the park, so that parents with multiple young children could keep an eye on their kids, whether they were in the Skate Park, playground or sand box. As luck would have it, the perfect spot existed — the vacant area of the demolished roller rink.
On May 18, a Grand Opening was held, and Clauss was happy with the “good turnout of about 150 people throughout the day.”
It was a fun and busy day that included 15 contests in the categories of skateboards, scooters, BMX bikes and roller blades; and trophies were handed out in categories like Best Run and Best Fall, which the kids particularly liked!
The event also included music and basket raffles, as well as helmet and skateboard giveaways, courtesy of a grant awarded by Kutztown’s Fraternal Order of Eagles.
It’s safe to say that the Skate Park is a success and the seed that was planted several years ago is in full bloom. Clauss said that “feedback has been great” and the Skate Park gets about 35 visitors per day. Expansion of the 2,000 square foot structure is already being discussed and fundraising efforts will continue.
