Current status of Jeff City skatepark, we drove an hour there to skate it at night and the place was pitch black.

Good morning Andrew,

The Washington Park skate park is still open and there are no current plans for it to be torn down. What day and at what time did you visit the skate park? The timer that controls the lights might have malfunctioned. I will have the staff troubleshoot for any problems.

The skate park has been a nice addition and great asset to the park system, but has not been without its problems. Late this summer there was an alleged shooting incident and an ensuing vehicle chase that lead to an arrest. We constantly battle graffiti and excessive trash that has lead to closing the park until clean up is complete. Unfortunately, the skate park has becoming the place for high school age kids to gather and loiter. The police department has stepped up patrolling the area but with limited success. We are looking to install a security system to discourage and eliminate the unwanted activities since we do not have the resources to pay staff to monitor the park. If the unwanted and unlawful activities continue, closing the park might be a possibility but as a very last resort.

I am sorry the lights at the park were not working when you visited the park recently. We will check the lights and timer. Please let me know if you have any further questions or comments. Thanks!

JJ Gates
Park Resources and Forestry Division Director
Jefferson City Parks and Recreation

It’s just a shooting. It ain’t no thang. Time to go try again. The 2 foot quarterpipe might be the most fun thing I have ever skated.