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Accolades for teen who brought vert ramp to Memorial Park
Jonathan "Jono" Schwan, the teen-ager who was the impetus behind a new vert ramp at the Memorial Park Skatepark, won an award from the Colorado Parks and Recreation Association earlier this month.
Schwan won the Park and Recreation Community Champion Award.
“The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department nominated Jono Schwan for an award due to his efforts associated with the Memorial Park Skate Park,” the city said in a press release.
“Jono received the Park and Recreation Community Champion Award based upon his significant effort to influence and improve the quality of his community through parks, recreation and community services. Jono Schwan is responsible for bringing world-class skateboarding to Colorado Springs. The ambitious 15 year-old commits to the sport on every level, professionally as a pro X Games participant, and philanthropically as founder of the non-profit organization Sk8-Strong. Jono’s tireless fundraising efforts resulted in Sk8-Strong donating two vert ramps, valued at over $200,000, to the Memorial Park Skate Park. Not only did Jono personally donate his competition prize winnings and coordinate the acquisition of the ramps, but he also appeared in front of Park Board and City Council on numerous occasions to present his vision and advocate for support. The addition of the vert ramps gives Memorial Park Skate Park all four skateboard disciplines, making it the only public park in the nation that hosts such a facility.”
