Grinds of March skate park benefit draws hundreds of participants, spectators

By Ann Dwyer Production Asst.

Posted on Thu, Mar 18, 2010 : 4:20 p.m.

Ann Arbor residents hoping for a proposed skate park were cheered by the size of the crowd that turned out for a recent benefit.

More than 600 people attended the Grinds of March, a benefit to help raise funds to build a free, public skate park for those in the Ann Arbor area.

Held by the Ann Arbor Skatepark Action Committee, on March 13, the event featured contests, giveaways, and demonstrations by professional skaters. A big draw was eight-time World Champion, Andy Macdonald who signed autographs and skated for the crowd.

The size of the crowd was promising for those on the Ann Arbor Skatepark Action Committee.

"What it tells us is how badly we need this," said committee member Kristie Brablec, referring to the skatepark.

The amount of money raised by the event is unknown at this time, but the funds will be matched by the Washtenaw County Parks Commission, which pledged a $400,000 matching investment in the new park earlier this month. The skatepark committee's goal is to raise $1 million to build and operate the park.