Dozens of people braved freezing temperatures and a light dusting of snow Saturday morning to attend a special ribbon cutting ceremony at Dickinson Park. They were there to celebrate the official opening of Newtown's first skate park — a grassroots effort that was eight years in the making.

Brooms in hand, several participants swept off the ramps, steps, and open areas so they could shred, ollie and grind at their new facility. Hundreds of skateboarders have not had a "home" since the closing of Brookfield's Vertigo Skate Park in October. 

The teenagers were anxious for this park to open because "there are not many in the area,"  said Kyle Robertson, 13. 

"This means everything to me," he said. 

But before the teens christened the skate park, First Selectman Pat Llodra spoke to thank all of the many volunteers and town leaders who had come together as a team. She also gave a brief history of the project, and said that the Newtown parent of skateboard enthusiast, Ken Gotchak, was "likely the founding father of the park."

"He had the foresight and open mindedness to see the potential and to see the importance of addressing that need," Llodra said. "His goal in his words was to 'plant the seed and let the community decide.'"

Eight years later his dream came to fruition. Along the way, many people in the community helped, parent volunteer Lori Capozziello said.

"There are so many people to thank that I decided the best way to do it is to ask you to go to our website Donatetoskate.com where visitors will find a detailed letter of thanks," she said.

Capozziello said the skate park was an example of Newtown residents coming together to support their youth.

"Our skate park is concrete proof, no pun intended, that we can live and let live and support causes that we may have little interest in personally but the intelligence and compassion to support them anyway," Capozziello said. "Newtown is a caring community. We care about our most venerable youth residents and try to provide for their needs."

Amy Mangold, Newtown's parks and recreation director, parent volunteer and emcee of the ceremony, said they were working on a plaque to honor those who helped in the grassroots effort. She said the skate park exceeded expectations.

"I am just so happy that we have this wonderful asset for our town," Mangold said. "We did it!" 

The ribbon cutting featured the appearance of special guest, Doris Dickinson, wife of the late First Selectman Fenn Dickinson, for whom Dickinson Memorial Park is named.

"I really think it's wonderful addition to the park," Doris Dickinson said of the skate park.

Before the ribbon was cut, Jim Solomon from New Hope Community Church said a prayer to bless the state-of-the-art facility. New Hope Church donated to the cause and Solomon is a member of the prevention council.

A countdown preceded the cutting of the large red ribbon, which was followed with cheers and applause.

Minutes later, teens quickly scurried onto the snow-dusted concrete, excitedly jumping, shredding, and comparing tricks.

"It's all I've been doing for the last four weeks," Kyle said. 

The park has been opened to public use since late November. Kyle's friend Julian Lewis, 13, was just as excited.

"It makes me really happy to have this here," he said.

Julian was there with two of his friends from New Milford, William Gully, 11, and James Cramer, 12. They said the skate park was better than anything else in the area.

"We have one at Young's Field and there's one in Ridgefield but this is much nicer," William said.

Dean Baye, 15, said "It's really nice because I live right up the street. I used to skate at Vertigo, since they closed I've been skating all over town, so this is nice to have it right here."

Editor's note: Kyle Robertson is 13-years-old. His age was incorrect in an earlier version of this article. Dean Baye's name also was misspelled in an earlier version of this article.