On a Roll

It’s got to be tough being a teen in Nederland. Sure, the quirky little town is a cool place to visit for Frozen Dead Guy Days or the July 4th fireworks display, but what does a fifteen-year-old living there do for fun? Well, thanks to the work of dedicated volunteers, that kid can now skate his (or her) heart out at a world-class, 12,000-square-foot skate park. Today marks the Nathan Lazarus Skatepark Grand Opening and Dedication, and it’s kicking off with a bang at 9 a.m. with live music and a showcase of local skaters. That’s followed by a dedication ceremony at noon, a skate demo by the world-famous Tony Hawk and his Birdhouse team at 1 p.m., an expert-level competition at 3 p.m. and a concert with open skating afterwards.

The opening commemorates an extraordinary, five-year effort by Nederland residents to create something special for local kids, and also to give people a reason to visit. Ambitious as the project is for a town that doesn’t even have a skateboard shop, it’s the kind of challenge Nederland thrives on. “This entire town is run by volunteers. We’ve got a population of 1,500 or so, and we probably have 28 nonprofit organizations,” explains Randy Lee, executive director of NEDSK8. “The focus of the event is not just the skatepark. It’s an event that benefits the entire town. We’re going to try to leverage the excitement of finishing the park to get people involved.”

Join the free fun today at the park, located at 145 East Street in Nederland. For more info, visit www.nathanlazarusskatepark.com or call 303-258-9703.
Sat., May 30, 9 a.m., 2009