Warm Springs, OR – Community members from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs gathered on Wednesday to celebrate the grand re-opening of the Warm Springs Skatepark. Marking the culmination of two years of grassroots efforts from the community and supporters including The Skatepark Project and the PTM Foundation to rebuild the only skatepark in the Warm Springs area, the event was a powerful celebration of the perseverance of the indigenous skate community.
The effort to rebuild the park began when a Tactics team skateboarder, who lives close to the reservation, flagged the existing park as unsafe and inadequate for the community. The skatepark was in such disrepair that local kids had been hitch-hiking to the nearest skatepark, which was miles away and outside of the reservation. During the reopening, local skaters rejoiced in the familiarity of the cherished skate spot and took advantage of new, permanent elements added during the rebuild.
During the grand opening, Tribal Councilman Carlos Calica from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs shared a traditional blessing to open the park and protect all that utilize it. Artist Winnona Garrison painted a wall in the park with images of a waterfall and wild roses, because wild roses soaked in water, or rose water, are traditionally understood to have protective powers.
