A large crowd gathered at Lester Square Park on Saturday for the grand opening of Vincennes’ newly redesigned skate park. The event was a celebration of the revamped facility, which has already garnered praise from local skaters.

Kyle Sargent, a long-time skateboarder, attended with his 10-year-old son. Reflecting on the day’s events, he shared, “You don’t quit skating because you get old. You get old because you quit skating.” Sargent, who has been skating for over 35 years, closely followed the park’s redevelopment, which was handled by Hunger Skate Parks of Bloomington. He described the new park as “epic for the community,” noting its potential to inspire young skaters.

Local skate shop owner Jessie Cummings also expressed gratitude for the new park. Having grown up skating on the old surface, Cummings appreciated the improvement, saying, “The old park was nothing compared to this. Just having a skate park here and not having to travel to Evansville—it was our hometown park, my comfort zone.”

Vincennes City Council member Ed Gornall attended the opening and emphasized the significance of the facility for the city. “It’s huge,” Gornall said. “The kids told me this park is better than the one in Bloomington. To have that caliber in our city is really great!”

The project, which began in 2019, faced delays due to the pandemic and supply chain issues. Funding was secured through bonds and fundraising efforts. The completion of the skate park marks a significant milestone for the Vincennes community.