They lined up by the dozen awaiting the big moment. They
fidgeted with their boards, took their helmets off and put them
back on. They adjusted their rollerblades.
Sitting under a bright February sun, the anxious skateboarders
and rollerbladers sat patiently, in most cases, through the
obligatory speeches from politicians and the customary ribbon
cutting.
The grand opening and dedication of the Pat Elsbree Skate Park
and Hiram E. Lewis Park was well-attended by Windsor officials and
skate park supporters. But the largest contingent were skate park
users who gathered in large numbers for the big moment.
And when the signal was given, they converged on the new
$300,000 skate park with great enthusiasm.
Prior to the ribbon cutting and skate park opening, Mayor Steve
Scott acknowledged the many people involved in designing and
building the Pat Elsbree Skate Park and Hiram E. Lewis Park.
Ed Turner, a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor which raised
$100,000 for the skate park, thanked the “most paitent group in the
world. The youth of Windsor.”
The skate park has been nearly three years in the making.
Turner also thanked the Elsbree family for their support, and
acknowledged the park’s namesake, the late Pat Elsbree, for his
contribution to Windsor’s youth long before the town was
incorporated. The skate park “is a great tribute to him and his
community,” said Turner.
Initial reviews of the skate park were mixed. “It’s pretty
good,” said Cody Paz, 10. “But the bowls are too high for
skateboarders.
Cody Thornton, 11, said “I think it’s pretty fun … there’s a lot
of commotion on the first day and a lot people here. It will be
better when it’s been here for a little longer.”
After taking a turn in the park, Andrew Westergard, 14, said it
was OK. “It’s not bad … they’ve got some pretty big walls.” he
said.
Andrew Weathers, said “it’s pretty fun. The ledges are good, but
the boxes are too flat.”
His 12-year-old brother, Kyle, a roller blader, said the park’s
bowl “is perfect for me. I don’t know about boarders.”
by BARRY W. DUGAN, Managing Editor
