Colfax Skatepark opening draws a big crowd

Skateboarder-types from Auburn to Nevada City and beyond converged on Colfax Saturday afternoon to test out the city's new skate park – a project more than a decade in the making. Ben Bishoff, owner of Auburn's Bishoff Plumbing, was there with his three kids, Levi, 11, Ledger, 8, and Liveli, 3. "This is an awesome skatepark," he said. "It's pretty impressive for a small community like Colfax." Dozens of people, from tiny tots on tiny bikes to teenagers and adults on scooters and skateboards, crisscrossed the bowls and dips and ramps of the park, some attempting tricks; others just taking it slowly. Older, more experienced skaters even offered advice and a helping hand to younger kids not quite sure about dropping in from the edge. "It was incredible! The vibes were great, the booths were awesome, it was such a good time," Emily Trauman wrote in a Facebook post about the park. "I can't believe Colfax finally has a skatepark! And a bad ass one at that! We will definitely be putting it to good use. Thank you to everyone who was a part of making this happen." The man who spearheaded an 11-year drive for the skatepark – Ty Conners, a lieutenant with the Placer County Sheriff's Office – was on hand Saturday to welcome skaters and host a ceremony thanking the many people and businesses who contributed to it being built. "I couldn't have done it without any of these people," Conners told the Auburn Journal ahead of the opening. "... All these people that helped, they didn't give up on me because they believed in the cause and that it was important for the community." Conners said contributions varied from local residents wanting to give back to the community they grew up in to various companies in the concrete industry donating materials, services and equipment. Newline Skateparks designed and oversaw construction of the skate park. Conners said the firm constructs skate parks throughout the nation and in Canada, and told him they've never had this depth of involvement from the community within their projects. Conners thanked the designers, donors and sponsors during a grand opening ceremony, presenting each with a new skateboard deck for their contribution. Even before the 3 p.m. public opening, the all-wheel park was a bee hive of activity with people of all ages zooming around on skateboards, BMX bikes and scooters. The celebratory event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, music, a Kids Zone with jump houses and demonstrations from Pro Skaters Miles Blackman, Mike McGill and John Worthington. There were also public safety booths, skate shops, food and beverage vendors and giveaways from the pros. A viewing area – to include picnic tables, a shade structure and 190 bricks engraved with donors' names – is the next phase of the project to be completed. Efforts to secure grant funding for the viewing area are ongoing, Conners said.