New addition to Delphi park Milestone Construction contractors pour the foundation July 16 for Delphi City Park's soonto be skate park. The area can be found in the Riley Park annex, near the Delphi Park Department building. Comet photo by Jenna Buehler Skateboarding is often referred to as a trend and sport, but to area skateboarders, it is an art. It requires finesse. The art often takes advantage of town sidewalks, stairs, and railing as its canvas. Soon, it will have a new alternative. Skaters will be invited to practice at Delphi's new skate park in early August.

According to Delphi park superintendent Richard Farrer, plans for a skateboarding center in Delphi received city council approval about one year ago. Phase one of the project began July 19, as concrete was poured on the foundation by Milestone construction. He discussed the skate park's layout design with the Comet on Monday. The designated area in Riley Park annex will include stairs and ramps surrounded by rails and benches, with an additional starting ramp, or half-pipe, at the end.

"Skateboarders have been told to clear the property of businesses and residences all over, and they are left with no where to go," explained Farrer. "There has been a cry for help. We're offering a place to go, while protecting local property owners."

According to Delphi high school student and skateboarder Caleb Buffenbarger, roaming skateboarders cannot wait to see the final product. They hope to gain a sense of community acceptance through its implementation.

"I actually had someone push me off my board near the wooden ramp by the V.F.W. I would have left if they had asked. We're not here to wax-up (harm) property," said Buffenbarger. "We just want to skate."

Buffenbarger said the community has the potential to greatly benefit from the park.

"When I skate in Frankfort, Danville, and Major Taylor (an Indianapolis skate park) I tell people about my good spots and they tell me about theirs," said Buffenbarger. "If we promote this right, it could bring a lot of people, business and money into the community. We might even want to make it bigger. People come from other states for good spots."

Farrer said there has already been community input for the project. Family sponsors and anxious youth have approached him and asked to raise donations.

He said development plans incorporated user opinions as well. Local skateboarders participated in equipment selection from the American Ramp Company (ARC), and explained the need for stairs. The project cost was approximately $30,000.

Farrer said if the park fails to become popular, it can easily be converted to serve other purposes such as a pavilion, storage shed, or basketball court. In that way, the city will get the most from its money.

Skaters, however, hope that will not be anytime soon.

"I just hope a lot of people skate it and it turns out to be just awesome, a place with good flow, where we can lay down the line nonstop," concluded Buffenbarger.