The Daily Campus

Issue date: 9/18/09 Section: Focus

Media Credit: MELISSA SAVISKY

Bringing an ending to a project that has been in motion for years, the Mansfield Town Skate Park will have its grand opening Sept. 19 from 1 to 3 p.m.

The ribbon-cutting event will be held by the Mansfield Park and Recreations Department, and is sponsored by Worship Skateboards of Norwich, CT and CT BMX of Danielson, CT.

The free event will feature live music as well as a demo provided by Worship's pro-skaters.

Local skaters and bikers are encouraged to enter the best trick contest, where participants may win prizes, giveaways and energy drinks. Participants will be required to wear helmets.

The park is located behind the northwest corner of the Mansfield Community Center - adjacent to the E. O. Smith High School's basketball and tennis courts - and is open to the public from dusk till dawn April to November.

"This is a great way to kick off the opening of a great skate park that will be used by virtually every UConn and Mansfield skateboarder, finally, after a long wait," said Christopher Marciniak, a 7th-semester English major and president of the UConn skateboarding club.

"It's going to be a great time and there's going to be a lot of free stuff. All skateboarders and supporters should come and show their support."

The park previously held a "soft" opening at the end of August, and is currently still under construction though now open to the public.

Funds collected from the event will go toward expanding the park, which currently features ramps, rails and other obstacles.

Mansfield Town Council members voted unanimously on Sept. 14 to allow sponsorship signs to be placed within the park as a means to generate funding for the further development of the park.

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