GALESBURG, Ill. — Thirty local volunteers completed a facelift of the Kiwanis Skatepark on Galesburg’s east side from Aug. 15–23. Special Projects Coordinator Tom Simkins led the effort in conjunction with the City Parks and Recreation Department.

The park is used for skateboarding. Its ramps, bowls, and flat areas had cracked and warped due to weather and use, Simkins said. Of the approximately 8,000 screws, many had rusted, creating unsafe conditions and reducing use.

Volunteers removed the old sheets and screws, replacing them with 60 new skins and stainless-steel screws for extended life.

Cost-effective alternative to rebuilding

Simkins said reskinning is typically faster, less expensive, and more environmentally conscious than a complete demolition and rebuild. “It’s an attractive option for municipalities and skatepark advocates alike,” he said.

For this project, Simkins gathered a range of workers. “It was a fun mix of older, dedicated volunteers and young skatepark enthusiasts,” he said.

Community Reinvestment

According to Simkins, the hard physical work is an investment in the community. “By breathing new life into aging facilities, community volunteers demonstrate a commitment to healthy, active lifestyles, and the transformative power of public space.”

The skatepark was installed in 2003 through a City of Galesburg OSLAD grant and was last reskinned in 2017.

Photos courtesy of Tom Simkins