Lakewood Skatepark renovation includes new shade structure

Lakewood Skatepark has reopened after being closed since Labor Day. The renovation cost $550,000 and included new features like a taco and a bowl. However, the initial plans did not include a shade structure due to budget constraints. Recently, the Public Square Group, a nonprofit group in Northeast Ohio, donated $32,000 for a new shade structure. The total cost of the structure is $42,500, and the city of Lakewood will cover the remaining funds. Vince Frantz, a board member of Public Square Group and a local skateboarder, helped find a suitable vendor, RCP Shelters. He noted that, although the shade structure wasn’t part of the original project, they started looking for options last September. The new shade structure will be 40 feet by 12 feet, providing 480 square feet of coverage. It will be placed along the southern edge of the skatepark, where visitors often gather. The design allows it to cover areas without blocking skate features. Skatepark users have frequently dealt with extreme heat from reflected sunlight, leading some to bring their own tents for shade. Frantz believes the new structure will make the park more inviting. The structure is ordered, and installation is planned for this summer.