(10/16) Thurmont Skatepark rolled its way to its inaugural one-year anniversary October 15.

"The past year has seen a lot of improvements and additions. But most importantly, this past year has seen a lot of happy skaters using this wonderful facility," said Stacie Zelenka, mother of committee member Mateo.

The concrete haven made history as Thurmont’s first skatepark, showcasing what likeminded individuals can do for their community.

The committee of mostly teens worked tirelessly to bring the concert playground to the community as a safe place to board.

From groundbreaking in September 2021 to ribbon cutting in November, the skatepark has cemented a local legacy as one of the fastest enacted projects in Thurmont history.

Marveling at how quickly the project took off from its initial conception, the celebration is a testament to the community as generous donations over the past year have made it possible to improve the park better than ever, Zelenka said.

A pavilion and a paved walkway have been installed, in addition to the new park benches provided by the Catoctin Colorfest Committee.

Noting that the skaters only had a few hours to skate after school before it got dark, lights donated by local business, G and S Electric now allow the park to be open until 10 p.m.

Establishing the skater haven took tireless dedication by the mostly teen committee that highlighted the togetherness and spirit of Thurmont community.

The teens raised thousands of dollars to fully fund the park through community support and consistent fundraising.

The park was specifically designed for all levels of skill, so skaters just starting out and those more experienced can all appreciate and utilize the variety of aspects of the park. Since the official opening, skaters of all ages have descended upon the new park, providing encouragement to each other and always jumping back up when they fell.

Although originally spearheaded by a group of teens, the skatepark embraces all ages, and Zelenka noted the park has become a wonderful spot for families: "It has been fun for everybody."

Since its inception, the Thurmont Skate Park Committee has set the bar and helped other municipal community parks get the wheels rolling for their own parks. The park stands as a testament to community involvement and the heights youths can kickflip to when they work together, said Zelenka.