Longmont Skate Park Faces Uncertain Future Amid Local Push for Change

The future of the Quail Campus Community Skate Park in Longmont remains uncertain three months after its closure due to safety concerns. The park, located at 310 Quail Road, was shut down in late October 2023 when city staff determined that the aging equipment posed safety risks for users. With demolition now complete, local skaters are advocating for the space to be revitalized, arguing that the closure highlights ongoing issues in Longmont’s skate park infrastructure.

City Parks Supervisor Ben Gratton informed skaters that the decision to demolish the park was driven by safety evaluations conducted by trained staff members. In a communication shared with local media, Gratton stated, “We made the tough decision to start removing everything this late fall/early winter. As of right now, we do not have an immediate plan of replacement.” This lack of clarity has left many in the skating community feeling frustrated and unheard.

Alecs Bell, a Longmont resident and avid skater, expressed disappointment upon learning about the park’s demolition. Bell had been actively engaging with city officials to advocate for the park’s preservation and believed discussions were ongoing. “In October, I went there to meet with one of the mayoral candidates and saw the sign that they are demoing and locked the gate,” he recounted.

Bell’s efforts included launching a Change.org petition in mid-July, which garnered over 750 verified signatures in support of rebuilding the park. The petition highlighted the park’s significance as a hub for skaters, BMX riders, and scooter enthusiasts, emphasizing that the community had continued to utilize and maintain the facility despite its decline. “Local skaters have been fixing features themselves and bringing in DIY obstacles, proving the need — and desire — for a safe, dedicated space,” the petition stated.

Despite the community’s enthusiasm, the city has not committed to plans for a new skate park. City spokeswoman Lindsay Diamond indicated in a recent message that “no decision has been made regarding future use of the property, and the city does not currently have funding allocated for a new project.”

With optimism for change, Bell and other local skaters hope to present their case to the newly elected City Council, which includes Mayor Susie Hidalgo-Fahring and new council members Jake Marsing, Crystal Prieto, and Alex Kalkhofer. “I’m hoping to gather a group to attend a city hall meeting and voice the opinion to rebuild or allow the space to open up,” Bell stated.

Local skate parks in Longmont currently face criticism, with many skaters expressing dissatisfaction with the facilities. The city has four operating skate parks, but skaters have voiced concerns regarding the quality of three of them. For instance, Rough and Ready Skate Park, built in 2005, has a dismal 1.7-star rating on Google Reviews and was labeled one of the worst skate parks in America by Thrasher Magazine in 2011.

Another facility, Blue Skies Skate Park, which opened in 2006, has received mixed reviews, with skaters pointing out uneven ramps and poorly designed features. In contrast, the Sandstone Ranch Community Skate Park, built in collaboration with California-based SITE Design Group in 2006, is regarded as the best local option due to its size and variety of features.

Despite having its advantages, even the Sandstone Ranch park pales in comparison to newer skate parks in neighboring cities. Bell noted that local parks often fall short of the quality and design standards seen elsewhere. “In all honesty, they’re pretty bad in comparison to what other cities are now building or have upgraded,” he concluded, emphasizing the need for Longmont to rethink its approach to skateboarding facilities.

The situation at Quail Campus serves as a critical point of discussion for the community. As local skaters await news on the future of the site, they advocate for improvements to the city’s skate infrastructure. The decisions made in the coming months will likely influence not only the fate of the Quail Campus site but also the broader landscape of skating in Longmont.