The Department of Parks & Recreation recently celebrated the reopening of the Volcano Skatepark following extensive repairs completed with the help of volunteers from the Volcano and skateboarding communities.

Skateboarders, roller skaters, and families joined Hawai‘i County officials and volunteers for festivities which included speakers, a blessing, and a lei untying.

The skatepark, one of eight county skateparks across the island and the only one of wood construction and situated indoors, was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic after the surface of the wooden skating structure deteriorated to the point that it posed considerable safety risks to users.

As Parks & Recreation explored options to address the skatepark, a group within the Volcano community advocated for rehabilitating the wooden structure and stepped up to support the effort. The Volcano Skatepark Organization established a Friends of the Park agreement with Parks & Recreation and provided expertise and labor, while Parks & Recreation supplied the building materials and general oversight of the restoration project.

Parks & Recreation plans to continue making improvements to the structure that surrounds the skatepark and hopes that the partnership with the Volcano Skatepark Organization will provide ongoing and timely maintenance of the skatepark to ensure the continued use and enjoyment for skaters.

 

Photo credit: Office of Mayor Mitch Roth