Inner-city youths will get chance to hit the 'slopes' at Ruby Hill Park

By Julie Poppen, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published December 17, 2008 at 6:53 p.m.
Updated December 17, 2008 at 8:47 p.m.

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Dennis Schroeder © The Rocky

Snowboarder Pat Milbery from Denver rides a tabletop built Wednesday during a demonstration at Civic Center Park.

Think snowboarding and skiing are confined to the slopes?

Think again.

For the third year, a rail yard for risk-taking youngsters will be set up at Ruby Hill Park, at South Platte River Drive and West Florida Avenue.

Mayor John Hickenlooper and a handful of other outdoor sports enthusiasts and sponsors held a news conference and demonstration Wednesday at Civic Center Park to promote Ruby Hill as the city's latest "destination venue."

The rail yard is expected to open Jan. 17.

The yard, which attracted 6,000 youths last year, is paid for by Winter Park Resort, Burton, Christy Sports, Johnson Controls, Snowsport Outreach Society (S.O.S.) and 93.3 KTCL.

New this year: Denver Parks and Recreation and Christy Sports will provide free ski and snowboard rental from 3:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; and from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday.

The rail yard targets inner-city youth ages 8 to 16.

A parent must sign a waiver for access to free skis and snowboards. Forms will be kept on file at Ruby Hill throughout the rail yard season.

• December 18, 2008

  2:13 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  arsenal4life writes:

  somebody is just pissed that we can throw down. And come on now gangstas in colorado on the mountain, lets get real now.

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