STEM On Wheels: Indian riffle park-group 5

TRIP THEME - Unveiling a Local Gem

Indian Riffle Park

Trip Overview/Things to Do

This trip is a half-day,10.2 mile, 56 minute, round trip ride to Indian Riffle Park.

Though Indian Riffle Park may seem like just another public facility at first glance, it is actually unique in a number of ways. Originally getting its name from the “riffles” or "shallow portions in which rocks project from within the local section of the Little Miami River," Indian Riffle Park continues to be a local wonder for all citizens of the area. The park contains many facilities such as a disc-golf course, volley ball courts, shuffle board, football fields, baseball diamonds, concession stands, a playground, as well as a creek and pond for fishing, exploration, or simple relaxation; but perhaps its most intriguing feature is its one-of-a-kind skate plaza that is the first of its kind in the world.

While other “skate parks” are a commodity in the region and across the country, this “skate plaza” is set apart by its professional grade, skill-enhancing design. Nowhere else in the world can skaters (both recreational and pro) find such an authentic, street-themed skate course that utilizes rails,ledges, and ramps in order to provide local skaters a legal place to ride. This 40,000 foot plaza was designed by professional skater and Kettering Native Rob Dyrdek and co-founded by DC shoes, and allows all generations of the Miami Valley community to come together and enjoy their surroundings.

“The level of support from the city has been huge. Because of the design and the fact that it had never been done before, they had to put a certain level of trust in me. Kettering has bent over backwards to make this happen. The skate plaza is going to be huge for skate boarders as well as the city of Kettering,” said Rob Dyrdek of the Kettering Skate Plaza.

For this, Indian Riffle Park has truly earned the title of a little-known local gem.

Safety Tips

1) Always stay on right side of road when biking through the streets or on a path, except when passing.
2) Use all appropriate hand signals to let the vehicle around you in on your plan of action.
3) Always wear a helmet and pads.
4) Only ride roller blades or skateboards on the course, other vehicles are not permitted.
5) Once at the park, abide by all skate plaza rules.
Note: Children under the age of 10 are to be accompanied by an adult.

On our way to Indian Riffle Park.

Directions

**Note: Iron Horse Trail is also known as Trail 9

Most Memorable Experience

While at the park, our group engaged in many of the recreational activities Indian Riffle has to offer, including exploring the playground, creek, and skate plaza, walking along the pond, playing cards under the shelter, and most memorably playing 18 holes of Frisbee/Disc Golf. The course took us all around the borders of the park, eventually circling back to our starting point near the playground. During our hour-long game, our small division of eight teamed up to form four partnerships to try and succeed in utilizing the least amount of throws to reach a basket (compatible to a hole in golf) some distance away from the throwing platform. With half the group being first-timers we had our fair share of tree-hitting and bush-landing discs, a couple of times it actually landed in a tree! While this game may not have been one for the record books, it was anything but boring!