May 3, 2023
The City of Lawrence, along with River Rat Print and Skate, Escapist Skateboarding, Merchtable and Jackie and Bill Lawrence, is hosting a dedication for the vert ramp at the skatepark in Centennial Park at noon on Saturday, May 6.
The vertical ramp (also referred to as a vert ramp) replaces the wooden halfpipe ramp that was in place for several years at the south end of the skatepark. The old ramp was removed this past winter due to decay of the wood understructure. The new vertical ramp is significantly larger (30’x45’x11′) and is located on a new concrete pad north of the existing skatepark.
Over the past year, City staff worked with Justin Shiney, River Rat Print and Skate; Sean Ingram, Merchtable; Dan Askew, Escapist Skateboarding; and members of the Lawrence Skate Association to conceptualize this significant addition to the Centennial Park skatepark.
The group researched ramp options, requested quotes from preferred bidders and raised private funds to purchase the ramp, which was then donated to the City. Donations were made to the Corey Lawrence Memorial Fund. Corey Lawrence was a recognized member of the skate community who recently passed away.
The City contributed additional funding of approximately $38,000 to provide excavation, site prep, drainage and a fifty-square-foot concrete pad as the base for the new ramp. This was funded from budgeted maintenance funds in the Parks and Recreation Special Recreation budget. The City will assume maintenance responsibilities for the ramp.
Contact: City Communications, citycommunications@lawrenceks.org
DCIM100MEDIADJI_0268.JPG