Groundbreaking on new South Ogden skatepark expected to occur next month
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- An image from the final concept design for South Ogden’s 40th Street Skatepark, dated Dec. 18, 2023.
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- An image from the final concept design for South Ogden’s 40th Street Skatepark, dated Dec. 18, 2023.
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- An image from the final concept design for South Ogden’s 40th Street Skatepark, dated Dec. 18, 2023.
SOUTH OGDEN — Whether you’re a veteran skateboarder crooked-grinding 10-stair handrails or a newbie attempting your first ollies or kickflips, a new spot to participate in your favorite action sport is coming to Weber County.
A skatepark is set to be constructed at South Ogden’s 40th Street Park in the coming months. The city contracted with Los Angeles, California-based Spohn Ranch Skateparks to design and build the park following a nationwide bidding process.
Spohn Ranch’s portfolio includes skateparks in South Jordan, Holladay, Provo, Lehi and elsewhere in the Beehive State, throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, as well as internationally in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Matt Dixon, South Ogden’s city manager, told the Standard-Examiner that a groundbreaking is expected to occur in July. However, he stressed that it could be several months before the project is completed.
“We’re hoping to get it, for the most part, constructed this season,” he said. “I would probably be a little nervous and want to manage expectations to say (by) spring of 2025 things will be complete.”
Dixon said that a new skatepark had been on the city’s radar for several years, noting that local youths had lobbied for the building of a park at City Council meetings. However, the city needed to make determinations on where it would be built and how it would be paid for.
“We received some RAMP grant funding and an outdoor recreation grant fund from the state of Utah,” Dixon said. “Then the city is going to contribute the remainder. It’s about a $1.5 million project.”
Dixon added that the skatepark would measure approximately 20,000 square feet.
According to Sean Peterson, founder of the Utah Skatepark Advocacy Group, South Ogden’s park will be accessible to enthusiasts of varying skill levels.
“There’s something for the beginners … something for you to grow into, and there’s something for more of the advanced riders to continue to progress on,” he said.
According to Peterson, whose organization has worked to “bridge the gap between the skate community and local municipalities” since 2021, skateparks can be effective in getting kids away from screens and moving around outdoors.
“You drive past any park today and basketball courts are not getting used. Tennis courts are not getting used. Pickleball courts are getting used, but not by the youth, not by the young people — they’re getting used by people from their 20s to 70s or older,” Peterson said. “To hit that younger demographic from the ages of 9 years old to 18 years old, skateparks are one of the only things that’s actually working to get them off their phones.”