A ribbon cutting for the newly reconstructed skate park at Harmon Park will be held September 15. Refreshments will be available at 4 p.m. Programming, including the ribbon cutting and skate demonstrations will begin at 4:30.

Prairie Village’s first skate park became a reality thanks to the efforts of Prairie Village eighth graders Jake Shepard and Andy Peterson. In December 2001, the two began collecting money for the project in a plastic box. By the summer of 2002, the mayor had appointed them members of an ad hoc committee. Jake’s battle with cancer inspired Andy and other community kids and parents to help raise funds for the project. Their efforts over 3.5 years brought major donations from the City of Prairie Village, the City of Mission Hills, the Helen Boylan Foundation, the Prairie Village Arts Council for the Rhett Johnson Sculpture, Prairie Village Municipal Foundation, Johnson County Parks & Recreation, and many individuals. Jake died on March 5, 2003. On his 17th birthday, June 7, 2005, the original park, built by Grindline of Seattle, was dedicated the Harmon Park Skate Park.

After years of heavy use, the skate park, known unofficially as “Jake Park,” began showing signs of deterioration. A series of community meetings were held to gather input. This summer,  the skate park was removed, entirely redesigned, and rebuilt by New Line Skate Parks and Superior Bowen.