Atkinson Park is a busy, vibrant recreational facility. A soccer field, outdoor swimming pool and skateboard park attract local youth. The outdoor pool is open from late June until Labour Day.
Friends of Atkinson Park and Pool Committee (FFAPPC), a volunteer non-profit group, has been working on a variety of events to fund improvements within the park, including the skateboard park, which has been officially named the Ryan Barron Memorial Skate Park.
Ward 2 Councillor Fabio Costante welcomed members of the Barron family and friends at a dedication ceremony and sign unveiling in the park on May 16, 2023.
"Honouring Ryan in this way was a community effort,” said Councillor Costante. “Ryan's family and friends and skateboarders across the region all played a role in this effort, along with City Council who endorsed the naming of the skate park. It is a source of great joy and pride – but also very humbling – to see this through, and I know many in our community feel the same."
Ryan Barron was a well-known skateboarding and music enthusiast in Windsor who frequented the skate park and shared his passion with whomever was there. He lost his life in 2016 when struck by a car while skateboarding.
Donations in Ryan's Memory to Improve the Skatepark
Ryan Barron's family and the Friends of Atkinson Park and Pool Committee (FFAPPC) began a fundraising campaign aimed at adding a skate bowl to the park to honour Ryan’s memory. A skate bowl is estimated to cost approximately $300,000.
How To Make a Donation:
The City of Windsor can take all donations at our Community Services Administration office located at 2450 McDougall Street, Windsor, Ontario, N8X 3N6. Phone: (519) 255-2300 ext. 2705. All donations for the skateboard park should be made payable directly to the City of Windsor for Atkinson Park/Barron Bowl.
Tax receipts will be sent to donors for amounts over $10.