Gaylord skate park project unleashes power of community involvement with arts

GAYLORD — A project that enabled young people to showcase their creative talent and create a more attractive recreational area has now been completed with the installation of new murals at the Gaylord skate park.

Students learned how to be part of a community solution with RISE: Otsego Substance Free Coalition through its Street Art Workshop Series and Ramp Park Improvement Project at the Gaylord Ramp Park. The park, which shares a lot with the Otsego County Sportsplex at 1250 Gornick Ave., draws young people to recreate with skateboards, BMX bikes and inline skates.

Ranging in age from 12 to 20, the participating youth completed a 10-class workshop on the fundamentals of contemporary street art. Their education culminated with the installation of custom murals at the ramp park on June 21.

“The project is designed to improve space that’s been set aside for local youth,” said Ellen Templeton in a statement. She is the community health coordinator for the Health Department of Northwest Michigan, which is administrating grant funding and behind-the-scenes organization for the project.

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“Our hope is that, through this project, the park becomes a positive place for families and creatives to come and enjoy their time together," added Templeton.

The outdoor park reopened with a new view on June 21 as the youth and a handful of hired artists created the murals. An overall theme of “rebirth” pulls the artwork together. It represents the rebirth of the ramp park after being moved to the location and now sporting colorful art.

Prior to the mural project, which also involves purchasing and installing four security cameras, the ramp park was being tagged with inappropriate graffiti. It had been identified by a community assessment as a place where youth were at risk of using alcohol and drugs — making it a perfect focal point for RISE.

“We want people to feel safe and to even hop on a skateboard and learn a new skill,” Templeton said.

Gaylord Area Council for the Arts and the City of Gaylord are primary partners in the project. The arts council was involved in the grant writing and developing the 10-session workshop. The Gaylord Area Council for the Arts’ instructors and members worked directly with the students, who found themselves diving into their murals and spending more time than was asked or anticipated, according to Lisa Marie Tobin, arts council executive director.

“Art is an important avenue for helping people — young and old — deal with stress and share their voice. In addition to teaching the youth fundamentals like drawing, shading, street art history and the difference between street art and graffiti. we hope to inspire them to use art to positively transform their community,” Tobin added. 

Christopher Gibson, one of the artists who worked with the young people, said "(This) has been incredible."

"It's good to see the passion in the youth aand it's good to see support from the Gaylord Area Council for the Arts and RISE for this project," he said.

The park is equipped with a variety of ramps and obstacles to challenge both beginners and those who are experienced with the ramps. 

The Gaylord Ramp Park mural project is a partnership that brings art education and community park improvements together. It is being funded through the Coalition Support & Community Change Program through Prevention Network.

“This project has exceeded our expectations in every way,” Templeton said, noting that the youth’s role has connected with other generations in the community and showed them how they’re valued. “These kids are our future. This investment goes far beyond the beautification of the ramp park. It’s amazing what people can do when they come together.”

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Tobin said she plans to take community art to the next level by involving the youth in the next public art project. The arts council was recently awarded $15,000 through the Consumer Energy Foundation’s “Put Your Towns on the Map” competition. The money will be used to add public art to a three-block alley running from the Gaylord Gateway Trailhead to Claude Shannon Park along Main Street.