Eight years after its unveiling, the Barlett Park District Skatepark is still a popular draw for skaters of all ages.

They file in and out on a daily basis. But some may be more dedicated than others.

“Everyday I’m out here,” said David Frawley, 15, of Bartlett. “I’m here all the time, unless I die and then I’ll have to take a short break.”

In the late 1990s, a golf course-building boom saw new courses opening across the country. By the late 1990s and into the new century, the building boom — at least on a local level — shifted to skate parks.

For towns like Bartlett, that boom alleviated what was a growing problem.

“We had a lot of kids using skate boards in town, sometimes in front of businesses, and people weren’t happy,” said Jon Carlson, superintendent of parks and planning for the Bartlett Park District. “We saw a few other skateparks put up in other towns, and we looked into it.”

In 2001, the Bartlett unveiled its $180,000 sprawling skatepark which continues to see its fair share of usage.

Frawley is part of a group of core users for whom skating is akin to an unpaid summer job.

“I come here five times a week,” said Danny Klein, 14, of Bartlett. “It’s got everything you want, except the ground’s not that smooth.”

Klein’s comments shine some light on a snag happening at Bartlett’s skate park. The initial opening gave skaters a destination where they could refine their skills. However, the overwhelming popularity led to heavy use, and now some areas of the park may be in need of repair.

Large cracks at both the top and bottom of a four-stair rail in the park’s concrete street section were a major gripe of regulars, which got several skaters talking about possible improvements.

“It could be better,” said D.J. Romack, 15, of Bartlett. “The litter’s pretty bad and the concrete is rough.”

“This park could be improved, and the town knows it,” said Danny Paddack, 12, from Bartlett.
After much discussion among some regular users, three areas emerged as the consensus for future repairs:

LIGHTS Considering the park is only open during warmer months and skaters spend the winter season cooped up indoors, adding lights would prolong skating hours during the summer.

GROUND REPAIRS Growing cracks on the concrete street section are a concern to the regulars, along with an overhaul or resurfacing of the coarse concrete throughout the park.

INCREASE SIZE Additional square footage would allow the park district to add more equipment or new features, which could help maintain the skate park’s popularity.

So far, park district officials have not discussed sweeping changes, but they are taking steps to keep the park in good condition.

“We have not talked about making any changes or reconfiguring equipment,” Carlson said. “But we do inspect (the park) weekly, and we do have a couple quotes to repair the concrete there. That’s something that’ll probably happen later this summer.”

Earlier this year the park district did replace sections of Skatelite, the material that covers the vert ramps in the park, which came after other ramp surfaces were replaced a few years ago.

A few miles away at the Carol Stream Park District’s X-Tream SK8T Skate Park, there is space to increase the size of the park which is something a group of regular users would welcome.

“It’s all right here. It could be bigger,” said Cameron Lindquist, 13, of Carol Stream. “There could be more ramps and more stuff to grind. If I could, I’d add a better half-pipe, a shorter rail so everybody could use it and a box in the middle.”

Tom Mistretta, who has been skating with Lindquist for nearly five years, could also stand to see some improvements.

“This skate park has its highs and its lows,” said Mistretta, 14, of Carol Stream. “It’s a place to skate, so I come here, but I’d take out a lot of the stuff and make some mini boxes, add more ramps and a couple more rails and a stair set. Those are always the best.”

Regardless of whether the park district makes improvements any time soon, X-Tream SK8T will continue to be a hot spot for Brian Van Dorn, 12, of Carol Stream, and his younger brother Anthony Van Dorn.

“I’ve been skating since I was 6 years old,” Brian Van Dorn said. “I started watching videos and thought I’d try it because it looked real fun.”

“I come here with my brother all the time,” Anthony Van Dorn said. “We’ve been coming here most of the week. It’s cool watching the skaters on the ramps. I ride my bike. I can’t do many tricks, but I can do a wheelie. It’s fun to ride.”