In The News

from The Telegraph
January 26, 2007

The Telegraph/JOHN BADMAN

A worker guides a concrete section of a new skate ramp into place in Hellrung Park in Alton in an installation process that took all day. The new skate portion of the park is popular with young residents.

Alton's new skate park is a success

By LINDA N. WELLER
The Telegraph

ALTON - Despite a delay of several months, the skate park at renovated Hellrung Park finally opened last fall to the apparent delight of skateboard enthusiasts.

"It's very popular; more people are using it than we ever had anticipated," said Rhonda Lewis, deputy director of the Alton Park and Recreation Department.

When school. is in session, the skate park in the middle of Central Avenue -Union­Brown and East Seventh streets gets busy at about 3:30 to 4p.m., she said. Lewis said she was pleased to see youths from all over the city and all ages using the quarter-pipes, H-pipe, ramps, stairs and other features.

Veteran skateboarders apgear to be happy to help beginners, she said.

Two 14-year-olds from Alton recently said they like the park, although one of them was paying his first visit there that day.

"I like the mini-pipe and 1 like the grinder pole and the big wall," said Camille DeMond. "My favorite one is the mini-pipe, because you can do a lot of things on it."

DeMond said she rarely falls.

Darius Steward said his brother used to come to the park, and he would go along and watch the skateboarders. He first ventured onto the equipment Jan. 11 and said it is "fun.

"Everyone is really nice and helps out," 'he said.

Lewis also said information and positive "blogs" about the park already are posted on the Internet: www.skateboardpark.com/skateboardpark/viewpark.asp?ID=3944.

Mike Drake, executive director of the department, said the use of the park "is absolutely amazing.

"We have an avid bunch of skateboard enthusiasts. To my knowledge, there has been zero trouble there," he said.

The skate park is part of a years-long project to fill, do site work, add playground equipment, a basketball a court, pavilion, a wall with local children's pandprints imbedded in tiles, picnic areas and landscaping. The makeover was a partnership with neighbors, the Weed and Seed neighborhood improvement strategy and the city of Alton.

Residents near the park provided input as to what they wanted in Hellrung, which had been blighted and a haven for criminal activity for years when it was a sub­grade "bowl." Most features were included, except for restrooms and allowing sport bicycles in the skate park..

A rededication ceremony was held Oct. 21.

Next to come this spring is a community garden that is to include neighbors, Alton Clean City and Beautification Committee, Weed and Seed, Pride Inc. and the Piasa Palisades Group of the Sierra Club.

The state's Open Space Land Acquisition and Development provided $228,000 in 50/50 matching 'funds for the entire, $450,000 to $500,000 park renovation project. The city provided $90,000 as in-kind work, and $100,000 came from the Metro-East Park and Recreation District.

Alton Weed & Seed Strategy
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