Louisville Skate Park established April 5, 2002. CJ Russell began his journey in June 2005. A place where beginner to advanced skaters, bikers, extreme scooters, inline skaters, come to practice, tweak or polish their moves. Also, a place for families to come and watch all the extreme moves executed on the ramps. CJ loves this place because of the respect people give each other, and that the skate park is a place to learn and better yourself once you step foot on the smoldering grey pavement, and you step off onto the street as the dew of midnight slowly floats and lands on surrounding objects.
The skate park has become a home to many people including the infamous CJ Russell. 19 years old, born and raised in Louisville, KY. Board set up: Keystone board, Krux trucks and Mini Logo wheels. Shoes: Etnies. Sponsors: Skate Shack skate shop and 26 Division Clothing. Inspiring words by CJ “Determination has good rewards, never give up.”
Now for the questionnaire. The skate park was introduced to the public to use in the summer of 2002, but the word didn't spread to the outer Louisville later until a good 5 years after the park opened. Proof in the answer I got from CJ. (Question) “When did you hear about the skate park?” CJ- "When I was about 14, about a year after I started skateboarding from a friend of mine actually" CJ Has always been interested in skateboarding and was always looking for something bigger to do with his new founded skills. Thankfully he was introduced to the skate park in 05 and a new chapter in his skating career occurred
The skate park is a place where we laugh, learn, and test your skating ability. (Question) “Has the skate park affected your overall skating style?” CJ- "Yeah actually, meeting people and hanging out with them (there are a lot of good people here by the way). People has taught me tre flips, you know like big flips, like full cab flips and different things like that to help out the line." After the time CJ was introduced to the skate park, being surrounded by AM (amateur) and professional skaters his skating ability grew over the past years in ways that seem impossible.
Ever since the skate park opened it has opened a new door to Louisville. (Question) “Has the skate park affected the skate scene in Louisville?” CJ- "I say it has helped out a lot actually, from you know skating around my home town area to come to here... Its just been amazing there is so many people that come here now its ridiculous." People from around the world and different cites world wide and nationally, have come to one of the best skate parks in the U.S to test there skills.
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The best part about the skate park is itself. No matter where you idol at, while standing, sitting or propped on an object you’re bound to see spectacular, top of the line tricks and bails provided by Louisville's finest extreme sport athletes. As one enters the skate park you are abruptly hit with the taste of smog from the nearby factories, and the smoking of cigarettes and weed, the smell of melted wax rubbed in to the ledges so skaters may execute sliding/grind tricks, the sight of tattered shoes due to the intense friction of the skaters shoes against the rugged grip tape glued onto the deck (the wood part). The snapping, cracking, and popping noises fill the air during the trial of each skater trying to land tricks whether its for show or self confidence, while the sun's rays beams against the skate park creating the shadows so the people don’t have to endure the pounding UV rays against their skins as they try to keep cool.
Wolfe, Bill "Louisville Extreme Park: A Playground for Daredevils." hellolouisville.com. n.d. Web May 31, 2010
This article is a summary of the Louisville Skate/Extreme Park. The author is a local journalist who has attend a few competitions at the Skate Park and he claims that its a "Playground for Daredevils". Quote Bill Wolfe "Skaters, skateboarders and cyclists use the Louisville Extreme Park at their own risk and are required to wear protective helmets. No smoking, drinking, drugs or food are permitted within the park’s fenced skating area." A law that isn’t enforced any more, I guess you could say, and it look passed because first off no one wears helmets unless you are doing 8 feet and over bowls, (those are were most of the injuries prolong at), second people sell drinks and food to the skaters for profit and the nearby skate shop is usually closed. Personally its whatever goes at the Skate Park, they even provide you with an emergency button (that I have accidentally ran into before). I don’t know if it absolutely works but its there.
When i told CJ about this article he was a bit surprised about being called a daredevil, he is just doing what he loves and taking risks is a part played in the role of love. Before hand he had heard of the helmet law but he didnt know it was an actual law because no one actually wore helmet protection unless you were doing the half pipe or the bowls. Also, the rule that states food, drinks, ect are not permitted in the fencing area. CJ states that he is not about to walk or hop over the fence everytime he needs water, its a waste of energy. And the fact that the nearby skate shops closed just didnt set well with CJ and the rest of the local skaters at the skate park. CJ- "I just wish that Louisville had some consistency running businesses." He and myself have the right to be upset, due to the fact that over almost 10 years there have been 3 skate shops open and close.
Wolfe, Bill "Louisville Extreme Park: A Playground for Daredevils." hellolouisville.com. n.d. Web May 31, 2010
This article is a summary of the Louisville Skate/Extreme Park. The author is a local journalist who has attend a few competitions at the Skate Park and he claims that its a "Playground for Daredevils". Quote Bill Wolfe "Skaters, skateboarders and cyclists use the Louisville Extreme Park at their own risk and are required to wear protective helmets. No smoking, drinking, drugs or food are permitted within the park’s fenced skating area." A law that isn’t enforced any more, I guess you could say, and it look passed because first off no one wears helmets unless you are doing 8 feet and over bowls, (those are were most of the injuries prolong at), second people sell drinks and food to the skaters for profit and the nearby skate shop is usually closed. Personally its whatever goes at the Skate Park, they even provide you with an emergency button (that I have accidentally ran into before). I don’t know if it absolutely works but its there.
When i told CJ about this article he was a bit surprised about being called a daredevil, he is just doing what he loves and taking risks is a part played in the role of love. Before hand he had heard of the helmet law but he didnt know it was an actual law because no one actually wore helmet protection unless you were doing the half pipe or the bowls. Also, the rule that states food, drinks, ect are not permitted in the fencing area. CJ states that he is not about to walk or hop over the fence everytime he needs water, its a waste of energy. And the fact that the nearby skate shops closed just didnt set well with CJ and the rest of the local skaters at the skate park. CJ- "I just wish that Louisville had some consistency running businesses." He and myself have the right to be upset, due to the fact that over almost 10 years there have been 3 skate shops open and close.
CJ remembers the stories told by the locally well known hobo, "Hobo Jim." For example how life is better being a hobo with a life of being poor with an exciting life, than a rich man with a boring life. Even though Jim's stories and philosophies were legit CJ doesn't recommend anybody follow his advice unless you wanna end up like him. "Its your life." Also once upon a skate park competition CJ got Baptised. CJ- "Yeah I did get Baptised, haha everything you can imagine has happened at this skate park supposedly." After reminiscing about that event CJ stated that the skate park is one of the worst and best places in the city of Louisville and that everyone should experience it whether its just watching the people do their thing or yourself going out there and giving it a try.
Concluding this piece the skate park is a great and wonderful place despite its down falls of ignorant people that come and cause unnecessary commotion, its a great place to skate, chill and have a good time. The only problems that many skaters, including CJ, have with the skate park is the lack of support from the government to keep the park together. Since the park has been opened the vending machines have been depleted, the bathrooms are destroyed, and the trash has gotten somewhat out of control. This matter has been, and is being dispersed to the government as we speak and they are trying to handle the sitution the best they can. A solution is to have more 5-0 keeping patrol of the skate park but doing so will leave other places vulnerable to predators. Otherwise the Government has dont a better job in keeping the park clean lately (CJ stated in the interview) but the bathrooms are still a large factor of the problem and is awaiting actions to take place to fix it.
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