Users Organize Keep Our Skatepark Show of Support Day Saturday

Free Pads Available During Event

Story by Sam Calhoun

In a duel effort to get users to wear pads and increase attendance at the controversy-prone skatepark, a group of skateboarders led by Appalachian Skatepark Council member Brian Mueller will host a Keep Our Skatepark Show of Support Day this Saturday, May 30, from noon to 3:00 p.m. Admission is free and the event features a pad giveaway/swap. Photo by Sam Calhoun

With the future of the Appalachian Skatepark up in the air, users are taking the situation into their own hands and addressing concerns verbalized by the Watauga County Board of Commissioners and Watauga County Parks & Recreation Commission. In a duel effort to get users to wear pads and increase attendance at the controversy-prone skatepark, a group of skateboarders led by Appalachian Skatepark Council member Brian Mueller will host a Keep Our Skatepark Show of Support Day this Saturday, May 30, from noon to 3:00 p.m. Admission is free, and organizers are encouraging all skateboarders and inline skaters in the region to attend.

“There will be lots of time for everyone to skate, and the more the better—let’s have a huge showing,” said Mueller. “Help us show the leaders of the community that you care about this park.”

Attendees are encouraged to bring and donate extra pads and helmets to the event, so those without pads can receive the proper equipment needed to participate in the sport in Watauga County. Mueller, having researched new designs for athletic pads, found a line of pads—currently made popular by professional basketball and football players—that are inexpensive, lightweight, breathable, flexible, aesthetically pleasing and washable. The pads, he hopes, will dispel the myth among users that pads inhibit their ability at the skatepark, and will encourage all users to wear the proper equipment as required by state law. Mueller is purchasing some of the pads for free distribution on Saturday, as well as distributing used pads he has collected over the years.

“We’re going to show that pads are not a problem,” said Mueller. “We need to make sure the youth have pads.”

In addition to the pad giveaway, free cotton candy will be available. Attendees will also enjoy games and contests during the event, such as the Flat Rail Best Trick contest, 30 and Older Best Trick contest, Board Jump contest and the SKATE game, which is similar to basketball’s HORSE game. All games and contests are free and prizes will be awarded, courtesy of Board Paradise.

“New ideas have been developed to help our community manage the park and we want to share that information on Saturday, so everyone is encouraged to come out, both old and young. A strong showing will let Parks and Recreation find a way to support the park. The more skaters, the more proof we need the park,” said Mueller.

Recently, Mueller met with ASU Department of Health, Leisure & Exercise Science Assistant Professor Dr. Erik Rabinowitz, who is interested in organizing workshops on skateboarding at the skatepark this summer and fall. Rabinowitz said he has graduate students in mind to host the workshops.

“It’s about education. We’re all learning how to support this sport,” said Mueller.

For more information, email brian@systemsbuildingsupply.com or call 828-264-7111.

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