Evansville, a city nestled in southwestern Indiana, welcomed a new addition to its recreational landscape in December. Sunset Skatepark, a public-private partnership, has already proven itself to be a community asset and a gathering space for skateboard enthusiasts as well as other members of the community.

According to Evansville Parks and Recreation Executive Director Danielle Crook, the idea for Sunset Skatepark can be traced back to organizing efforts led by Heather Vaught, a dedicated community advocate and small business owner. Crook said the project gained momentum during the last two years thanks partly to Vaught’s influence.

“She was able to connect with the city and spearhead fundraising efforts, which helped the project pick up steam,” Crook said. “In conjunction with city funding, Vaught and others brought this project to life.”

The park itself is owned and maintained by the parks department. Crook said this ensures accessibility to the public at all times. The partnership between the city and community advocates is a model that has proven effective, fostering community engagement and support.

In hindsight, Crook said the outcome has been more favorable than initially anticipated.

“Residents of the neighborhood were very concerned about the park being built and noise and inappropriate activity,” she said. “I feel like even the most intense neighbor has been pleasantly surprised. It’s a good example of how an asset like a skatepark really does help improve the community. I don’t know that everybody anticipated that, but the skateboarding community did.”

Speaking of expectations, Crook said the park offers an open invitation to anyone interested in using the space. Among its unique features is an inclusive design, accommodating users of all ages and skill levels. The design was executed by Hunger Skateparks and incorporates thoughtful elements like a sunset-themed bowl, reflecting the park’s namesake and enhancing the overall experience.

She noted that the park’s popularity is evident by consistent usage even during off-peak hours. According to her, this level of activity at the site bodes well for the neighborhood’s future.

“If somebody is utilizing it and its features are activated, it’s a lot less likely to fall victim to graffiti and vandalism,” she said. “And I think the location, on the riverfront near the water treatment plant cascade feature and Mickey’s Kingdom Park, helps, too.

“Everybody has been very respectful and just so appreciative to have this amenity.”

Building on the momentum, Crook said her department aims to enhance the community experience by providing free skateboarding lessons. Because it is so important to the city that the park remains open to the public, the parks department also plans to introduce educational and recreational programming. She emphasized that the staff plans to exercise due diligence to avoid over-programming and potential disruptions to public access.

The project was well executed, according to Crook. Still, there were some challenges during the planning, including timeline adjustments and coordination with grant requirements. In the end, Sunset Skatepark’s development was relatively smooth compared to other community projects. Crook and her team learned the importance of valuing community input and adapting to changing circumstances.

This project is not fluid, but one that’s dynamic by design. Looking ahead, Crook plans to finalize outstanding aspects of the project such as installing benches and exploring options for organized events. Ultimately, the community’s input remains a crucial factor in shaping the future of Sunset Skatepark, ensuring its continued success as a dynamic and inclusive space.

For instance, according to Crook, there’s not an established rental rate. That might change if and when it makes sense to the parks department.

“We didn’t want to close it off for events. We want it to always be open to the community,” she said. “So, as of right now, we’re not planning on doing any special events or anything like that. But it’s also new and being navigated currently.”

The success of Sunset Skatepark will be measured through various metrics, including usage statistics, community feedback and ongoing engagement.

As warmer temperatures arrive, a clearer picture of the park’s impact on the community will emerge. In the meantime, Crook said she and her team welcome insights from the public.

“So far it has all been positive, but I know that it’s never all positive. At some point, we’ll get other feedback. And we’re here for it.”

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