Pop-up skatepark in Cortez brings community together indoors
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CORTEZ, Colo. — A pink warehouse with colorful murals and large windows sits at the corner of an intersection. Inside, people moved quickly — too fast to be on foot. On nice days, the garage door is open, and the sound of squeaky wheels and music can be heard from a block away.
Two years ago, a group of local skaters created Beech St. Skatepark to have a place to skate during the winter. They found the warehouse, which houses a few nonprofit organizations, including the Good Samaritan Food Pantry.
Video: Ziyi Xu, Rocky Mountain PBS
“We called it a pop-up skate park,” said Asa Seder, a Beech Street team member. “It all breaks down and stores away so that they can use the warehouse for getting food out to people, then we set it up every week so folks can come skate at.”
Outside of Beech Street skatepark. Video: Ziyi Xu, Rocky Mountain PBS
Beech Street Skatepark isn’t open year-round. It runs during the winter and early spring, depending on the weather. It usually opens two evenings a week.
Tuesday nights are open to the whole community. Wednesdays are reserved for youth skaters.
Inside the Beech Street skatepark. Video: Ziyi Xu, Rocky Mountain PBS
At 5:45 p.m. on a Tuesday night, Seder and other volunteers arrived to start assembling the big ramps and props.
Six local skaters built the ramps using a grant to purchase materials. Now, the park runs on donations from skaters and supporters. Local artists decorated the ramps and slopes.
Seder and the team also set up a table with free food, books, stickers and birth control items.
Koralee Meada, 6, roller skating. Video: Ziyi Xu, Rocky Mountain PBS
“It is always a mix of people and especially ages,” said Seder. “Anything from tiny children to skaters that have been around the block a million times. And folks are always teaching each other.”
A father held his daughter’s hand as she dropped into the ramp. She soared up the other side and returned to the bowl. Other skaters tapped their boards on the floor — an expression of praise — and clapped in celebration.
“It’s not just like older people teaching younger people,” Seder added. “I learn things all the time from some of the younger skaters who are really impressive.”
Kiran Buff, 7, has been skating for most of his life and has been coming to Beech St. for several weeks.
“I taught this person how to drop in. And someone was helping me do a 50-50 [grind]. Two people actually,” Buff said. “Today I did not fall. I have never tried that trick before. And I just did it!”
Kiran Buff, 7. Video: Ziyi Xu, Rocky Mountain PBS
“I’ve always wanted to learn how to skate when I was little,” said Walter Simental Frendon, 14, who was the only skater in a suit and tie. “Thing is, we only had the skate park and we didn’t have anyone to teach there. You either just fell a whole bunch of times until you eventually got it and get judged, or you come here, get taught about it, and get congratulated on your mistakes because you learn from them.
“I can mess up, and I wouldn’t be embarrassed being in this community. There’s no shame or judgment here.”
Seder said Cortez has a strong skateboarding community, with many locals skating since the early days of the sport. There is an outdoor skatepark in town, but it’s not beginner-friendly. Cortez does not have skate shop, so the skating community lacks a central meeting place. Beech St. helps fill that gap during bad weather.
“A lot of the folks who were part of building the space or running the space are women, queer people, trans people, people of color. And a lot of the folks who have been involved are people who often experience marginalization at traditional spaces,” said Seder.
According to Speakeasy Skate, an online directory of skateparks, southwest Colorado has just six skateparks, ranging from Cortez to Pagosa Springs.
“It’s been so important to all of us to make sure skating feels exciting and positive and accessible and like it’s something that anyone who wants to can step into,” Seder said.
Ryan Wiederrich doing tricks. Video courtesy AJ Saiz
Ryan Wiederrich, 18, has been skating since he was a kid and has skated all over the country.
“I’ve been through a lot of skate parks that I’ve used as my local for weeks on end or like a month. And usually I feel like it’s pretty anti-social for most skateparks,” Wiederrich said.
“But you can walk in here and even if you haven’t been in here before, you feel like you can skate. You’re not feeling like you’re outcast or you might be in someone’s way.”
Video courtesy AJ Saiz, Xavier Garcia, Ryan Wiederrich
Type of story: News
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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