Nighttime fun at the Tosa Skatepark has come out of the shadows. The city has installed lights around the facility at Hart Park, and this week, it announced that the public-private project was complete. The lights were ready for illumination.
"Huge thank you to TSU [Tosa Skateboarders United] and every community member who contributed to making our park safer, more accessible, and fun for everyone," the City of Wauwatosa said in a social media post about the project's completion.
The Tosa Skatepark was an overnight success when it opened in 2015, but without lights, it was mostly a daytime attraction. The addition of lights means users can take better advantage of the park's nighttime hours on their skateboards, scooters and bikes.
Funding for the project, estimated to cost $180,000, was included in the city's five-year capital improvement plan, with costs split evenly between city taxpayers and private fundraising efforts, each contributing $90,000.
The lights operate on a timer that is activated by pushing a large button next to the skatepark, so if no one is skating at the park, the lights will remain off.
Tosa Forward News visited the park a little after 9 p.m. Oct. 29, with a half moon rising over State Street. The skatepark lights shone brightly as about a half dozen young skaters hung out on the edge of the park and occasionally wheeled across the concrete on their scooters.
Suddenly, the lights shut off, prompting shock and complaint from the skaters.
"Push the button!" one of them yelled.
Button pushed, the lights flipped back on, as designed. The skaters continued enjoying the park.
