Where once there was darkness, now there are lights. Where once was just a parking lot surrounded by blackberry bushes, now there is a skate park.

You may have noticed the new light poles surrounding the skate park  (recently renamed the Seamus Simms Skate Park). These are part of the new solar lighting installed by the City of Port Townsend March of this year intended to provide lighting for users of the skate park after the sun goes down. After a lighting ceremony skateboarders will be able to do a little night skateboarding. 

Over 20 years ago I was a volunteer staff writer for an alternative newspaper (no longer in print) called “The Vigilance” which was published monthly by Ben Thomas and Gigi Glenn from the second floor of a downtown building for several years. One month my assignment was to write an article called “Why Port Townsend Should Have A Skate Park.” I interviewed a variety of townspeople and wrote a short essay on the subject. 

Previously in the city’s 1991 Parks Plan a skateboard area was identified as a “community need.” In 2002, the council submitted a grant proposal. The original Port Townsend Skate Park was built by Dreamland Skateparks in May of 2006. To this day it is maintained in large part by “it’s user group and the Parks Department,” according to an internet listing about the skate park.

I now have a 19-year-old daughter named Samantha Stromberg. She is a skateboarder. She is also a force for positive social change. 

During Covid, which happened to be her freshman year of Port Townsend High School, she found skateboarding to be the perfect outdoor outlet and positive way to connect socially with other members of the community. It was a great way to strengthen her ties, let off a little steam and improve her skills.

But come fall it starts getting dark earlier and earlier until it starts getting dark at 4:00! “Dang, this blows,” Samatha said to herself. “Wouldn’t it be great if we had some lights for the night so we could keep skating?” 

She started a petition in 2022, her sophmore year, ultimately collecting 2,000 signatures. It seemed natural that Samantha would choose  “Solar Lighting at the Skate Park” as her Senior Project for the 2022-2023 school year.

Samantha made a pitch to Port Townsend City Council and had supporters write letters to the editor. Ultimately the idea was accepted by the city, which generated a grant proposal and a plan. In March 2024 Samantha started a GoFundMe to raise money for the project which generated around $20,000. Last year Samantha also started a skate park chat group dedicated to discussing goings on at the park, conditions, and to trade gear.

The lights are now installed and ribbon-cutting and lighting ceremony will be scheduled sometime around the end of April.

Good job Samantha! I love you.