KAYSVILLE -- Some of those who two years ago approached Kaysville City Council for a skate park are now driving cars.
But the dream has not faded away as parade goers will see today during the Kaysville 4th of July celebration.
Brothers Jared and Justin Andersen, Adam Hebert and their friends will demonstrate skateboard moves and tricks as they seek donations to build a skate park in the city.
Justin Andersen is 15 and working on his Eagle Scout rank as a member of Boy Scout Trappers Trail Troop 551. His project is to get the momentum going to get the park built.
The city approved a spot at the South Ponds Park for the park. Now it is up to those who live for half pipes, grinds, slides, ollies and flip tricks to raise almost $100,000 for the concrete, the design and other necessities, said Laura Lee Andersen, their mother.
"If your city doesn't have a skate park, it is one," said Justin Andersen.
Jared, who is 17, raised more than $12,000 for the park, including a donation of fencing by Custom Fence Company.
The Andersens said they try to skate where it's legal, but sometimes it seems too far to travel to the closest skate park.
Karena Ball's son, Ryan, is 10 and has been riding a skateboard since he was 7.
She was fearful at first, not just because the tricks look scary but because of what she assumed may be a bad environment for him.
She takes him to Ogden for professional skateboarding lessons and then they spend time at local skate parks so he can practice.
What she discovered at the local skate parks are the majority of those who ride are "really good guys," she said. "They are there to ride their skateboards, not to get into trouble."
As part of Justin's Eagle Scout project, he is sponsoring a skateboard safety clinic open to the public from 10 a.m. to noon on July 9 at South Ponds Park, 1000 S. 50 West, Kaysville. Demonstrators will stress the importance of safety gear and teach tricks.
For more information about the proposed skate park, e-mail kcskatepark@gmail.com.
Donations for the skate park can be sent to Kaysville City, Skate Park Donation Fund, 23 E. Center St., Kaysville, UT 84037.
Other parades today
SBlt Centerville's parade begins at 9 a.m., starting at Chase Lane and Main Street and ending at Pages Lane.
SBlt Clearfield's parade begins at 9:30 a.m. at the intersection of State Street and Center Street.
SBlt Hooper's parade begins at 8 a.m.
SBlt Huntsville's parade begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of 200 South and 7200 East.
SBlt Kaysville/Fruit Heights' parade begins at 11 a.m. along 300 South.
SBlt Morgan's parade starts at 9 a.m. Entrants line up at the Wilkinson Complex.
SBlt North Ogden's children's parade starts at 9:30 a.m. on Washington Boulevard, with the Cherry Days parade to follow at 10 a.m.
SBlt Plain City's children's parade begins at 8:15 a.m., with the regular parade beginning at 8:30 a.m.
SBlt Riverdale's Pedals & Paws Children's Parade begins at 9 a.m. at the corner of 700 West and 4400 South. The Old Glory Days Parade begins at 9:30 a.m. The parade route runs west along 4400 South starting at 700 West.
SBlt West Bountiful's parade begins at 10:30 a.m. at 4th North and 800 West.
SBlt Willard's parade begins at 9 a.m., followed by games and a candy drop.
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