STRUTHERS Skateboard park building day planned
Volunteers are needed for the June 10 opening of Struthers Skateboard Park.
By AMANDA GARRETT
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
STRUTHERS -- The donors for a new skateboard park at the corner of Elm and Stewart streets in Struthers are having a build day June 10.
The park's sponsors are asking for volunteers to help build ramps for skate-boarders and bicyclists to use at the park, which is located at Elm and Stewart streets.
After the project is completed, there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the park, said Dan Becker of Struthers, who donated $35,000 to the project.
The Struthers Fraternal Order of the Police is spearheading the park with help from the city, private donors and KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit that works around the country building playgrounds, Mayor Dan Mamula said.
Volunteers are asked to be at the site by 6:30 a.m. June 10. Construction is expected to last from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the ceremony to follow at 3:30 p.m., Becker said.
Lunch will be provided by Frattaroli's Sparkle Market and Nemenz IGA .
Becker said they need about 125 volunteers to finish putting up the ramps for the skateboarders to use.
"We've had a lot of youngsters sign up," he said. "But we need some adults in there, too."
Safety concern
The many young people doing skateboarding and biking tricks in vacant lots and sidewalks inspired Becker to donate money toward the park.
"My major concern is that sooner or later there will be a serious accident and someone will be hurt or killed," Becker wrote in a fund-raising letter. "The youth need a proper place to do their thing."
The project will cost around $100,000 to complete, Mamula said.
The volunteers have raised most of the money, but they need around $20,000 to complete their goal, Becker said.
Anyone wishing to donate to the project should make checks payable to the Struthers Fraternal Order of the Police and mail them to Dan Becker, 11 Spring St., Struthers, OH 44471 or to the FOP at 6 Elm St., Struthers, OH 44471.
To sign up for build day call the mayor's office at (330) 755-2181, Ext. 110.
agarrett@vindy.com