Scooters and bikes are now welcome at Ridgefield’s Graham Dickinson SPIRIT Skate Park. Form left are Lucca Jones, age 5, skate instructor Scott Conway, Wes Meyers, 12, and Marisa Caponetti, 6.
Along with skateboards and in-line skates, Ridgefield’s skate park will now welcome scooters, bikes, longboards and “Heelys.”
“Scoot on in!” said Parks and Recreation Director, Paul Roche. “It’ll be fun.”
“Anyone on any wheels will be welcome!” said Park Director Linda Caponetti. “Got a unicycle? Come on down!”
To highlight these new recreational opportunities, Graham Dickinson SPIRIT Skate Park will offer two free days of biking, scooting and skating on the weekend of Sept. 20 and 21, from noon to 6 both days. This “Free Wheelin Weekend” will be the kickoff for the park’s new policy, but, anyone can try out the park before then.
Park details
The skate park is open seven days a week. It is always staffed by at least one park monitor. Skate instructors are available for scheduled private lessons, ($25 for half an hour and $40 for a full hour).
Fall hours are 3 to 6 p.m. on school days, and noon to 6 on weekends, holidays, and school closing days. Anyone using the park must have a helmet, pads, and a current waiver. Waivers are to be signed by the individual if 18 or older, or by a parent or legal guardian if under 18.
People can use the park on a daily, drop-in basis. Drop-in rates for residents are $7 weekdays and $10 for weekends, holidays, and school closings. Non-resident drop-ins pay $12 weekdays and $15 on noon opening days. Skaters over 18 can drop in for $5 a day anytime.
Six-visit punch cards and full annual passes are also offered. The skate park may be rented for private parties or group functions.
Families and fall
Also new at the skate park are family memberships, for families with several children or parents who’d like to skate.
For the remainder of the year, fall passes will allow unlimited admission to the park from end of summer to end of the 2014 park season, Nov. 30.
Family passes will cost $140 for Ridgefield families and $200 for non-resident families.
Individual passes for the fall are $75 for Ridgefielders, and $105 for non-residents.
Skate instruction
Private and group skate instruction is available. In the fall, lessons are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Ramp I and Ramp II, open to all ages, are for beginners and intermediates. These one-hour lessons are held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Ramp I is geared to brand new beginners through skaters with some experience in basic skills. Ramp II is for more experienced skaters (of all ages) who want to build their skill level.
These classes cost $108 for skate park members and $138 for non-members. The fee provides six one-hour classes taught by experienced skate instructors.
Pee Wee Ramp, specifically for skaters seven years and under, has two half-hour time slots: 4 to 4:30 or 5:30 to 6 p.m. The cost for six classes is $63 for park members and $93 for non-members. Young skaters are given individualized attention and plenty of encouragement.
In all cases, skaters may choose one day a week or come both days, which is suggested. The sessions are Sept. 4 to Sept. 23; Sept. 30 to Oct. 16; and Oct. 21 to Nov. 13.
“People can enter the program at any time and we’ll pro-rate their session,” said Skate Park Director Linda Caponetti.
For more information call the park shed at 203-431-2342 during regular park hours, the park office at 203-431-2368, or Parks and Recreation at 203-431-2755.