After much anticipation, North Russian Jack Springs Park is now host to Anchorage’s first in-ground, concrete skate park!
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laska State Senator Bill Wielechowski first proposed the skate park in 2012 upon realizing that there was a considerable demand for skateboarding facilities in northeast Anchorage. That year, the Anchorage Park Foundation received a $250,000 State Legislative Grant for the project and began working closely with northeast residents to identify an appropriate site for the new skate park. Construction began June 2016 and concluded at the beginning of August 2016. The new skate park has quickly become the popular new skateboarding hub.
As Anchorage’s first in-ground, concrete skate park, this project represents a significant step towards modernizing available skateboarding facilities in Alaska. Jason Borgstede, owner of Blue & Gold Boardshop, believes this facility represents more than just another Anchorage skate park, “until now, we had yet to provide a sizable, modern, permanent skate park for our youth. This facility will let the youth of Anchorage know that the city supports them and what they care about.”
The Russian Jack Community Council was a strong champion for the new skateboarding facility. They are excited that North Russian Jack Springs Park will continue to promote healthy lifestyles and activities, as well as serve as a venue to encourage youth to safely pursue their interests.
