The Marion Skate Park is located at the Marion Recreation Center, 240 W. Church St., Marion, Ohio. The park is open, weather permitting:
Monday - Thursday 8 am to 8 pm
Friday 8 am to 6 pm
Saturday 1 pm to 6 pm
The park is skate at your own risk. Protective gear is strongly recommended. Bikes are currently not allowed.
SKATE PARK HISTORY
The skate park is a result of a grass roots effort of the Marion youth and city leaders. Beginning in March of 2000, several meetings were held to access the need of a park and the features desired. Several fund raising events were held, with local youth raising $1,100 by selling candles. Local service clubs, veteran posts and churches also held fund raisers and contributed an additional $12,000. The remaining funds were provided by two grants. The Alber Grant through the United Way of Marion County and the CDBG federal funds.
In May of 2001, the Skate Park was officially dedicated. The park sees an average of 40 youth per day.
August 10, 2002, the first Jason Wentz Memorial Skateboard Competition was held. This is an annual event held in memory of Jason Wentz, one of the original committee members and skateboard enthusiast who was taken from us in the fall of 2001. Three catagories of competition are held ranging from 8 years old to adult and a best trick competition. This event was spearheaded by Bob and Belinda Wentz in an effort to recognize local skaters and give them an opportunity to showcase their sport. Bob, Belinda, Tommy and Alley Wentz put much of their own time and money into making this event happen, often pulling in friends and family as volunteers. Without them, this competition could not happen. All monies collected go into the skateboard fund to continue upkeep of the park and seed for future expansion.
April of 2005, the park was given much needed repairs due to time and weather. There is an on-going effort to continue to raise funding to provide for a larger, more durable park that can be enjoyed by both skateboards and bikes.
To contribute to the Skate Park Fund make checks or money orders to the Marion Skate Park Fund, 240 W. Church St., Marion, OH 43302.
