MICHIGAN CITY — The city’s West Side is on its way to becoming an art corridor.
Michigan City Skate Park, 550 W. Fourth St., celebrated the addition of art along its skate ramps with a mural ribbon cutting on Sept. 13.
Those in attendance tried out their best skateboard tricks or learned how to skate with the non-profit Driftwood Collective. They also got to participate in a raffle for free skateboard decks, scooters and other items.
According to Parks and Recreation Supt. Shannon Eason, who also sits on the Michigan City Public Art Committee, ARPA funds of $13,000 were used to paint the skate ramps, bathrooms and the shelter near the park.
“Our goal, last year and this year, is to spread art into our neighborhoods and not just in the Uptown Arts District. And since this is a gateway into the city, with high visibility, vibrant for the skaters, we chose this project,” Eason said.
She also stated that, with the You Are Beautiful sculpture planned to be placed across the street from the skate park, they plan to make the corridor entrance to Michigan City’s West Side an “art corridor.”
Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch said it was important for Michigan City to use ARPA funds, which she titled “beautification dollars,” to support outdoor spaces, which she said were important to the health and welfare of Michigan City families.
“This is a trailhead, so this being here spurred that to happen in the future,” Nelson Deuitch said.
“All of our employees [in the Parks and Recreation Department], they work a lot of hours – a lot of hours to make sure that all of our buildings, all of our parks, are safe but also fun for our folks, for our kids,” she added.
Eason and Artist Chris Silva said it took about eight weeks to paint the skate park, finishing it last fall, although the process started in summer of 2024 when the painting started.
Silva, who is a skateboarder himself, said this project helped him connect with his creative roots. Aside from skateboarding, Silva said, he was also a graffiti artist in Chicago in his younger years.
“I wanted something that, kind of – the challenge was something that would translate over the objects and become, sort of one sculptural object, in a way,” Silva said.
“So, I just wanted to figure out a way to come up with a single language vocabulary and, kind of, specific repeating color theme,” he added.
At-Large Councilman Don Przybylinski said this represents Michigan City in a beautifully positive way, and he sees the skate park as not just an attraction for Michigan City skaters, but for skaters across Northwest Indiana.
“All the visitors coming into town really can see how progressive Michigan City is being with the people that like to skateboard,” said Przybylinski.
“What better way to spend your time on a Saturday afternoon than out skateboarding and enjoying the outside,” he added.
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