By Spencer Drake
The idea of a skatepark coming to Ruston has been talked about for some time now, and finally it is coming into fruition. Friends of Ruston Skatepark is a non-profit that has been dedicated to raising enough money to have a skatepark built in Ruston. As of last week, Phase 1 of the plan can begin.
Partnering with the City of Ruston, Friend of Ruston Skatepark’s goal of raising $250,000 has been exceeded by $10,000, making their total money raised $260,000. The goal of $250,000 was set so that they can find the very best builders to build the park.
The park is set to be an outlet for creativity to thrive in the city of Ruston, for not just skateboarders to enjoy. Joey Slaughter, a professor at Louisiana Tech and member of the Friends of Ruston Skatepark, shared the vision he and his fellow Friend of Ruston Skatepark members saw when planning the park.
“We just want to give back to the community a space for people to be creative, try a new sport, make new friends, and be a part of something. Not everyone plays a team sport, so this gives them something they can be a part of and enjoy,” said Slaughter.
The excess $10,000 will most likely be used to start Phase 2, which is a walkway around the park. This walkway will display public sculptures and murals, as well as give people who are not skating a chance to enjoy another side of the park.
Be on the lookout for updates from the Friends of Ruston Skatepark. Visit the website at skateparkofruston.com for ways to donate and help support the cause.
