Should Rockford Build One of These Downtown?

An online petition is gaining popularity with the hopes of stirring up enough interest for a new attraction to be built somewhere in downtown Rockford.

The petition, at change.org, is close to 500 signatures with the hopes of using that momentum to encourage investors to help build a brand new skate park downtown. If you're wondering why since we have 2 skate parks in Rockford already, Benjamin Jacobson, who started the petition had this to say:

Churchill park which is very heavily used. It is very small, wooden and constantly in need of care. Everything from holes in the ramps, to screws coming out, or even rotting wood. Washington park off West State Street is also obviously in need of repair at all times.

The petitioner would love to see a park in Rockford built by one of the country's leading skate park builders, Spohn Ranch.

Downtown Rockford restauranteur Paul Sletten, who will also be opening another couple restaurants in the old Standard Furniture building complete with rooftop dining has signed the skatepark petition. Here's what others who've signed have had to say.

I grew up in Rockford without a skatepark near me. Skateboarding has literally saved my life and I want to make it easier for other kids to be as affected by it as I was.

Bing Liu, Chicago, IL

 

I'm signing because Rockford is a huge city. With an ever growing skateboarding community.

Matt Poulisse, Rockford, IL

To sign the petition to help bring a state of the art skate park to downtown Rockford, click HERE.