Red Lake Skate Park opens

Hundreds Gather for Grand Opening of Red Lake Skate Park

By Michael MeuersOn September 14 with just a week left of summer, hundreds of people gathered for the grand opening of the new Red Lake Skate Park.

The celebration had been postponed from the originally scheduled date of August 29 due to the unexpected death of Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Chairman (SMSC) Stanley Crooks. The SMSC played a major role in the development of the skate park, providing funds through their grants programs.And:The park is so heavily used that kids are seen skating after dusk with nothing but the dim light of a school sign for illumination.

The skatepark groundbreaking took place this past April on the front lawn near Red Lake High School and was finished a bit ahead of schedule. The new park—as well as two new basketball courts—were built during the summer as part of an initiative to engage the community’s youth in activities that promote healthy lifestyles.Comment:  For more on Indians and skateboarding, see Stronghold Society Sponsors Sk8Jam Competition and Skating the Navajo Rez for Skatepark.