Skatepark matter of pride, destination point for recreation

It took a decade or more, but today's dedication of a new skatepark in Kelley Park is something our community can be proud of, especially younger and younger-minded folks.

Although the majority of the $135,000 cost of the project, some $95,000, came from private fund-raisers, in-kind donations and local grants, the city's contribution to the project should pay off in a big way.

The project was designed and built by Dreamland Skateparks, one of the best skatepark builders in the world -- the Oregon firm recently built two parks in Italy and is ready to build one in Israel -- creating one of the best attractions of its type right here in McCook.

Skateboarders don't generally fit the conventional mold, which is probably why a skatepark was built a century or more after football and baseball fields appeared. And, no doubt there were ulterior motives behind some of the support -- keeping skateboarders away from other sites less popular with the non-skating public.

But coupled with the Graff Events Center, a top-flight disc golf course and the McCook municipal pool (the next major project?), the new skatepark will make Kelley Park and McCook itself a summertime destination.

Congratulations to the skatepark supporters who stuck with the project for the long haul, and the dozens of donors, foundations and service clubs who made this project a reality.