Missoula’s New Beartracks Bridge Skate Park Opens Just in Time for Go Skate Day

Back in my day, growing up in Montana, skateboarding wasn't exactly welcomed with open arms. 

Defending Our Passion: 'Skateboarding Is Not a Crime

If you were a skateboarder in the 1980s or 1990s, you probably remember the famous bumper sticker that read, "Skateboarding Is Not a Crime." At the time, it felt more like a defense than a slogan. There weren't many skate parks, and skaters often had to get creative to find places to ride. 

I know we did. 

The Evolution of Skateboarding in Montana

My friends and I built a skateboard ramp in my mom's side yard because there simply weren't many other options around Missoula. Fast forward a few decades, and it's amazing to see how much Montana's skateboarding scene has evolved. 

Jeff Ament: A Pioneer of Montana's Skate Park Movement

A big reason for that growth is Montana native Jeff Ament. 

Ament has spent years helping build skate parks across Montana through his advocacy and support of community skateboarding projects. His efforts are now being highlighted in a new documentary called The Montana Grind, which explores how skate parks have helped build communities throughout the West. 

READ MORE: Montana Grind Brings the State’s Skateboarding Story to the Big Screen

The documentary showcases Montana's unique skateboarding culture and the impact local skate parks have had on young people across the state. Special screenings of the film are scheduled throughout Montana and Seattle during June and July. 

Meanwhile, the local skate scene continues to grow. 

One of Missoula's newest additions is a mini skate park located beneath the Beartracks Bridge. The new facility is already becoming a gathering spot for local skaters and will be the location for this year's Go Skate Day celebration. 

Growing Together: Missoula's New Mini Skate Park

The crew at Board of Missoula will host the event Sunday evening, featuring skate contests from 4:30-6:30 p.m.  

READ MORE: I Built A Sizable Missoula Landmark In My Mom’s Yard

What's especially encouraging is that Montana's skateboarding growth isn't the result of one person or one organization. It takes an entire community. Groups such as the Montana Skatepark Association, Montana Skate Alliance, and numerous local volunteers continue working to create safe places for kids and adults to skate. 

The result is a thriving skateboarding culture that looks very different from the one many of us grew up with. 

And that's a good thing. 

Some of my closest friends today are people I first met through skateboarding more than 40 years ago. The sport has always been about more than tricks and ramps. It's about community.

A Bright Future: The Next Generation of Montana Skateboarders

It's great to see that the community not only survive in Montana but continues to grow stronger with every new generation of skaters.