Talkeetna might have skatepark and bicycle pump track next summer

Talk of a skatepark in Talkeetna has been going around ever since the old library was demolished.  But after five years, the skatepark may be finally getting off the ground.  KTNA’s Colleen Love has more.

Eight months age, bicycle shop owner, Shawn Thelan, wondered what was happening with the local skatepark.  A sign at the sight of the old Talkeetna library said, “Coming Soon – Talkeetna Skatepark,” but no one seemed to know anything else.

Shawn decided to kickstart the effort, and then came a suggestion for adding a bicycle pump track.  A pump track is a continuous loop of dirt berms and mounds that you ride without pedaling. The name “pump track” comes from the pumping motion used by the rider’s body as they ride around the track.  After looking at the property, Shawn saw potential on either side of payment.

“The skatepark, we would like to keep it right where they determined it would go, which is where there’s a separate parking area there right now and a separate drive in, and there’s the chain over there that says Skatepark in Progress.  The addition of the pump track, we want to do in the woods.  There’s woods to the south and there’s woods to the north that could both potentially be used and are both big enough for a separate pump track.  That would keep it away from the skate part.”

There has been so much enthusiasm for moving forward with the skatepark and pump track, that stunt paraphernalia started anonymously showing up at the sight.  Currently, a ramp sits on the pavement and, when I was there, young children were already playing on it. 

The skatepark committee is awaiting amended paperwork approval from the Borough and Shawn expects a response in a few weeks.  He said he’s eager to hear as much public input as possible and he is planning a community meeting to gather ideas, concerns and potential volunteers in mid-June.  If all goes smoothly, Talkeetna might have an official skatepark and bicycle pump track by the end of next summer.

For KTNA, I’m Colleen Love