After 20 year wait, Town opens new skatepark

The Town of Cathlamet is pleased to announce that the long-awaited skateboard park at Erickson Park has been completed and is ready for use.

The original concrete slab for the Skateboard facility at Erickson Park was laid in 2004 as a result of a community fundraising and construction, led by now-County Commissioner Lee Tischer and many others. All construction on the slab, where the new skate park now sits, was completed entirely by volunteers. The site languished for many years, despite the town serving as the site of many successful Skateboard festivals which had to use own streets for competitive events.

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) says that skate parks are an excellent opportunity for out-of-the-way or small towns to attract visitors. Skate parks can attract skaters, families, and events from neighboring cities and beyond, which in turn benefits local businesses and could boost tourism. With childhood obesity rising in America’s youth, skate parks provide a new way for those children who may not be interested in traditional sports to become more active. The NRPA describes free, public skateparks as a place for all ages and levels of skaters, “where skaters can make friends and have a sense of community and belonging.”

In 2022, the Town submitted a request to the Recreation & Conservation Office (RCO) for a grant to finish the project at long last. The grant request was supported throughout the community and was awarded in 2023.

Mayor David Olson made the following statement: “We are very pleased the long-awaited skate park at Erickson Park is now completed and ready for use. We encourage our youth and skateboard users (of any age) to begin making use of this wonderful facility right away. The Town is very grateful to Commissioner Lee Tischer and everyone in the community who supported this grant and made it possible. With skateboarding now a recognized Olympic event, and with the 2024 Olympics currently in progress, there is no better time to open a long-needed skatepark to serve the skateboarders of our community.”