Work is officially underway on a new skate park in Carmi, with ground recently broken at the site of the former Huntington Skate Park.
Plans for the project were announced last week and even received an endorsement from skateboarding legend Tony Hawk. New ramps and other features are expected to be installed at the site.
Skate park founder Jacob Burnett said the idea began about a year ago and that the support the project has received from the city and community has exceeded his expectations.
“It’s been surreal, for real,” Burnett said. “I mean the city’s been completely behind it, already out here breaking ground. It’s pretty insane.”
Community support has also come from local businesses, with Burnett saying 11 businesses have already signed on as sponsors of the new park.
The project will provide Carmi-area skateboarders with a new facility at the former Huntington Skate Park location.