Olympian Alexis Sablone Visits Montclair’s New Skate Park: VIDEO

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair has seen its trials and tragedies amid the coronavirus pandemic. But there have been some bright spots, too – and one of them is the town’s new skate park.

U.S. Olympian and Team USA Skateboarding member Alexis Sablone recently paid a visit to the long-awaited facility in Rand Park, which opened last summer after years of advocacy from local youth.

It was the first time Sablone had gotten a chance to check out Montclair’s new park, and her enthusiasm was evident in an interview with Montclair High School Skate Club President Antonello Terrana (watch the video below).

When Sablone arrived, there was an eager group of local skaters – all clad in face masks – waiting to meet her.

“I’ve been waiting to come here for a while, and it’s great to put faces to the names and see how many people are using this space,” Sablone said.

Sablone, who also has a master’s degree in architecture from MIT, will be designing and building some professional-grade skateboard apparatus at the park with the help of a grant to Skate Essex, Councilman Peter Yacobellis said.

According to Terrana, while the space is a bit small, there are hopes it can be expanded in the future.

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Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller praised the park in his 2021 state of the township speech on Tuesday.

Spiller credited the MHS Skate Club, Skate Essex and Councilwoman Robin Schlager for pushing for the facility, which “provides young people a dedicated space to meet, play and try out some new tricks.”

In a year when indoor activities have been “all but impossible,” the outdoor skate park has been a much-needed respite and chance to get some exercise, he added.

• See related article: Long-Awaited Skate Park Opens In Montclair Amid Pandemic

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