Skateboard Park Grand Opening - Byram Day - September 8, 2007

The Skatepark officially opened 9/8/2007 -- and thanks to a VERY talented group of kids, we had a VERY successful ribbon-cutting ceremony!

Here is a group shot of our skateboarders!

Pictured above:  (Left to right):  Nick Valente, Sean Spellissy (organizer for the demo), Billy Kerbel, Jonny Griff and Zack Samiljan
(picture courtesy of Amy Stewart, Township Journal)

Pictured above (left to right):  Brian Thompson (Councilman), Billy Kerbel, Donna Griff (Event Organizer), Nick Valente, Janet Meisner (Recreation Director), Skip Danielson (Mayor), Zack Samiljan, Sean Spellissy, John Pappalardo (Recreation Commission Director), Jonny Griff, Jimmy Oscovitch (Councilman)
(picture courtesy of Amy Stewart, Township Journal)

Some Action pictures:

Pictured above:  Nick Valente over the table!  (Jonny Griff in background)
(picture courtesy of Amy Stewart, Township Journal)

At the grand opening - the following items were noted and given to the paper for publication:

Special thanks were given to the following individuals:

• John Pappalardo – Recreation Chairperson
• All of the Recreation Commission members – especially Mike Flora (who could not be here today (at a wedding) for working so hard on the skateboard plans and bringing this to reality
• Janet Meisner – Recreation Director
• Skip Danielson – Mayor
• Scott Olson, Jimmy Oscovitch, Dan Rafferty & Brian Thompson - Councilpeople
• Special thanks to Donna Griff, Earl Riley and Lou Esposito who were on the previous council that put the skateboard park on the plans for C.O. and who pushed so hard to bring us these improvements.

A VERY special thanks was given to Sean  Spellisy who, on very short notice, pulled together all of the skateboarders for the day's Demo and took time out of his schedule to organize this event!  The kids who skated in our demo at Byram Day were as follows:

• Sean Spellissy
• Jonny Griff
• Zack Samiljan
• Nick Valente
• Billy Kerbel
• Kyle Roessler
• Corry Boyle

Recognition was especially made to the Youth of Byram who helped to conceptualize, design and build the skatepark.

We also recognized that the Skateboard Park can be used by both Skateboarders and BMX bikers. However, BMX Bikers must leave the skatepark when skateboarders are present.

A complete list of rule is posted at the skateboard park - but it is especially important to note that Helmets are MANDATORY and the park is "Skate at your own risk"! 

Visitors since 9/14/2007: