There’s a space between fitting in and being an outsider that many people have experience. Whether it’s being a third wheel or being the last one picked, it’s a spot that teaches you to make the most of it.

For some kids who grew up in small-town Wisconsin during the 80s and 90s, skateboarding was that space. With no more than a few friends and your board, it didn’t matter if you missed the football game; there was a set of stairs at the bank. It didn’t matter if you weren’t in the yearbook; there was a photo of you tre flipping the gap at the hospital. And it didn’t matter if you missed prom; there was a marble curb downtown.

Eau Claire native Chris Johnson came into skateboarding when videogames like Tony Hawk Pro Skater and competitions like the X-Games made a big push into popular culture. For him, it was more than a passive spectacle. It became his life.

“The only people I knew were the kids I went to school with or the kids in my immediate neighborhood,” says Chris. “It wasn’t until my freshmen year of high school where we had our orientation group with a bunch of kids or whatever. And one of my best friends to this day ended up being in my orientation group. And they ask each kid ‘What do you want to do when you grow up?’ And both of us where like ‘Pro skateboarder of course.'”

Skaters in Wisconsin aren’t alone. In Midwestern cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul, there’s a vibrant community of skaters; you’ll run into local legends like Steve Nesser, or see big-time pros skating the spot you were at last week.

But, what if you were from a small city? Take Sawyer for example. He grew up near Boyceville, a place where football is king and skating is limited to your driveway. But, he didn’t let this hold him back. He woke up every morning at 6 AM and learned a new trick before school. For him, skateboarding is about setting goals.

“Every time you go out, you’re accomplishing a goal,” says Sawyer. “You learn that things don’t come easy. And I think that’s a really helpful lesson to take in life.”

Skateboarding is more than the some of its parts. As Chris points out, there’s more to it than most people think.

“Skateboarding is a lifestyle,” says Chris. “It’s the fact that you can go out and ride it whenever you want, relieve stress, [and] learn new things . . . . Your parents aren’t around most of the time. It’s just you and your buddies, and you’re going wherever you want. You just end up having all these different adventures through the whole thing, making memories.”

So, it should go without saying, skateboarding isn’t easy. Broken boards, open wounds, and swollen ankles, it’s a seemingly endless list of injuries. But, injuries are secondary to some of the negative backlash skaters experience in their hometowns.

“We didn’t have a free skatepark in town and the attitude towards skaters was super negative,” remembers Chris. “So, we’d have to watch for cops every where we were at.  And got talked to and hassled by people at every spot we were at, every single  day . . . . [In] Eau Claire, it just got to the point, ‘Do you really want to skate these spots?'”

It’s a question that haunts Chris as a skater: Are these spots worth the hassle? For the most part, it always is. But, it could be perplexing. Other smaller cities, like Neillsville or Marshfield, seem to have community support and, better yet, their own parks.

Neil, a Chicago native, almost sees Eau Claire as a Dickens’ parable.

“One of the things that I have noticed that is different in Chicago is the amount of infrastructure that’s available for our youth,” explains Neil.  “[Chicago] has used these skateparks to give kids and adults alike something to do – instead of engaging in activities that some people view as inappropriate.”

Things started to change around 2013 in Eau Claire. The city laid the groundwork for the Lakeshore Skateboard Plaza, a small, 3000 sq. foot concrete skatepark.

Adding a skatepark into a city’s infrastructure isn’t as easy as adding a jungle gym or a basketball court. Gabe, who’s part of the Eau Claire Skaters Association or the ECSA, recalls how skepticism surrounded the park.

“It took a lot of convincing for [city officials] to understand,” says Gabe. Putting a park in the open as part of the bike trail system wasn’t the city’s first option. As Gabe reminded them, putting the park away from the public would only add to the negative stigma surrounding skateboarding.

2013 wasn’t just a turning point for the city. Chris, who had spent the majority of his adulthood skateboarding, realized something.

“You have to have a skater run shop where someone is motivated to try to have something going on,” explains Chris. “If you don’t have contests, if you don’t have sponsored kids in the area, if you don’t have video premieres. . .the scene doesn’t have anything connecting it. I’m looking around and asking ‘We don’t have a shop in town. Is someone going to do it?’ But, nobody had any genuine interest.”

With years of retail and managerial experience, Chris decided to open his shop in downtown Eau Claire. “It was just a matter of I saved some cash, opened in April, and it’s been running smooth,” says Chris.

“I’m not asking for things for free. Everybody says they want it, but nobody with any kind of influence or power has stepped up to really push it”

After Chris opened Passion Board Shop, he set his sights on something bigger, much bigger. In skateboarding, most skateparks are large structures, with half pipes, bowels, ledges, rails, and stairs. For Chris and others who have been to skateparks across the Midwest, Eau Claire’s was kind of like a postage stamp.

Along with members of the ECSA, the creation of something larger began. We are looking at something bigger than just a park, but a system of smaller parks along the Eau Claire bike trail with a central stop at Boyd Park.

Funding an enterprise as promising as this skate park system hasn’t been easy. Passion Board Shop and ECSA have hosted countless fundraisers and contests to generate over $40,000 in funds.

But, as Chris suggests, the allure surrounding skateboarding has pushed this campaign against unlikely currents.

“Honestly, I’m not sure what the problem is,” says Chris. “I really thought that our city would match funds. I’m not asking for things for free. Everybody says they want it, but nobody with any kind of influence or power has stepped up to really push it.”

“We’re going to keep pushing for more parks,” explains Chris. “Realistically, just as many people skateboard as they play tennis. There should be just as many skateparks as there are tennis courts. Whether or not that will happen is yet to be seen.”

It’s fair for Chris to feel frustrated. We’re talking about a grassroots fundraiser, run by maybe five people. With Eau Claire spending millions across the board, there’s a lot to talk about. But, it seems there isn’t too much being said about the park, outside a few articles or ECSA.

Still, there could be some changes coming along for the park. In a fitting way, many of skaters are trying to turn it into a positive. As Neil reminds us, skateboarding is about setting a personal goal and sharing it with others in the community.

“There’s just so much that skateboarding has to give. It’s endless in that way”

“Really, what’s motivated me is the passion I’ve had for the sport in my life,” explains Neil. “I’ve been skateboarding for almost fifteen years and it’s provided me with an endless amount of opportunities to make myself a better person and give back to the community.”

Gabe shares Neil’s sentiment.

“What’s inspiring to me at [Lakeshore] today is just seeing all the people that have come together,” explains Gabe. “It’s pretty cool compared to a few years ago.”

Skateboarding isn’t a story that can be neatly summarized. There’s something with skateboarding that so personal, it’s like skaters are willing to commit themselves to something bigger than the community. It goes to show you, people can make the most out of anything.

“There’s really no end to it,” says Chris. “As much as you want to put into it, you’ll get back. You’re constantly meeting new people and making new friends and relationships. There’s just so much that skateboarding has to give. It’s endless in that way.”

Note: All photos Tina Hanly. Podcast, music, and graphic design Seth Langreck.