Epworth UM Church to celebrate grand opening of skate park Aug. 24
A community-wide celebration of the new skate park at Epworth United Methodist Church will take place Sunday, Aug. 24. A dedication ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. The afternoon includes skating contests, live music, and food and drink for purchase. The event is free and everyone is welcome.
Matt Haley’s Big Thunder Roadside Kitchen, which premiered in July, will be on site selling food. Haley will donate all the proceeds from food sales to the skate fund.
Music, ranging in styles from contemporary praise to folk and punk, will be provided by Epworth Praise Team, Vin Fischer, Welter, Shutter, Keep For Yourself, and McRad. McRad is a skate punk band featuring Philadelphia resident Chuck Treece. Treece, 50, plays drums, guitar, and bass. He skated professionally from 1982 to 1990 and has been part of the national music scene since 1980.
The skate park on the perimeter of the church’s parking lot was funded entirely by donations from businesses and individuals in the community. Jesse Clayton, owner of 5th Pocket Design, began working with The Skate Project in July 2013. His goal was to design a park for skateboarders of all ability levels while not impacting parking in the church lot. Portland, Oregon-based company Evergreen Skateparks was hired to build the park. Construction started in early July and was completed by mid-August. The park is free and open to the public. It is a “use at your own risk” facility.
Major contributors to the project include Atlantic Theaters, Schell Family Foundation, Preston and Kathleen Schell, and Walker Construction.
While registration is not required for general use, all skateboarders must register for the event whether or not they participate in contests. Those under 18 must be registered by a parent or guardian. Registration will begin at 1 p.m.
More information about the park can be found at www.eumcbr.org/sk8. Contributions to the park are still being sought. Donations may be made using PayPal on the website, or by sending a check payable to Epworth UM Church with “Skate Fund” on the memo line. Mail to 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.
