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Free Skateboarding Demos help kids stay injury-free
The Park Districts of Oak Park and Forest Park are teaming up with physicians to keep local kids safe and injury-free while skateboarding.
The Park Districts of Oak Park and Forest Park are joining forces with physicians to keep local kids safe and injury-free while skateboarding. The park district is one of eight in the Chicago area to adopt the ‘Skate Safe’ program, co-sponsored by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush (MOR). Skate Safe is a public awareness program featuring injury prevention signage in skate parks, a free event featuring safety experts and a cool website aimed at reducing the number of skateboard injuries that peak in the spring and summer.
Experts agree that injuries have increased with the popularity of skateboarding, often referred to as the “No. 1 Extreme Sport” in the US. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there was a 23 percent jump in reported skateboard injuries for kids under age 15 between 2013 and 2015.
As part of Skate Safe, a colorful, new sign with safety information and prevention tips is on display at Stevenson Park and Bud Mohr Skate Park. In addition, the park districts will host a free, public event with demonstrations by semi-pro skateboarders, music, prizes, stickers and a workshop to learn some basics of the sport, including how to fall.
Find out what's happening in Forest Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Skate Safe Demo & Workshop
June 11, 1:00 - 2:00pm
Find out what's happening in Forest Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Stevenson Park Skate Park
49 Lake Street, Oak Park
Skate Safe Demo & Workshop
June 23, 11 am
Bud Mohr Skate Park
7501 Harrison Street, Forest Park
“We definitely want kids to enjoy skateboarding and have fun, but we also want to keep them safe from injuries that can happen with this sport,” explains Dan Schaffer, Park District of Oak Park Program Supervisor. “This Skate Safe program is a great way to teach them how to ride safely.”
For tips and tricks on how to be safe while skateboarding and a complete list of Skate Safe program partners, visit: skatesafer.org. You can also view a video about the program here, or another about injury prevention and safety tips here. To sign up or for more information about this FREE event go to http://www.pdop.org/skate-safe/ (Oak Park) or call the Park District office at 708-366-7500 (Forest Park).