It's not easy to find a place for kids, particularly those in the 7-14 age range, to skate, scoot or bike safely in the winter months. But with the right balance of edginess and safety, Plan Nine Skatepark in the St. Louis Mills Mall is attracting area kids to its ramps.

"This park is pretty unique," said owner Casey Otto. "I'm firm in my belief that this park is one of the best in the nation." The park, which is more than 30,000 square feet, features ramps built from the best materials, staff trained in first aid and CPR, and an environment comfortable for all members of the family, he said.

Open to any wheeled non-motorized vehicle, the most popular rides in the park include skateboards and BMX bikes, though many kids enjoy inline skating and riding scooters in the park. The impeccably clean skatepark (a missing element in most indoor skateparks) is divided by skill level, and staff and volunteers make sure kids can successfully navigate the ramps before they are turned loose.

From there, kids are free to wear themselves out on the facility's numerous ramps during open sessions, lessons, all-nighters, birthday parties and camps.

On the last day of Plan Nine's winter Ramp Camp, campers were eagerly showing off their new skills to a balcony full of parents, grandparents and siblings.

Stacie Prince, of O'Fallon, Mo., was watching her 10-year-old son, Eli, skateboard.

"He loves camp," Prince said. "He asked to go to Ramp Camp for Christmas."

During the one-week camp, Eli, who has been skating since he was 5, has mastered some new tricks without any broken bones, Prince said.  "It keeps him out of trouble."

Danny Ragsdale, of Florissant, was also on the balcony for the Ramp Camp showcase. His son Darion, 9, has been coming to the skatepark for about two months.

"I think this place is awesome. I wish I had something like this when I was a kid. We made our own ramps," Ragsdale said. In addition to learning new skills, Darion tells his dad he's also making new friends with fellow campers and instructors.

Otto, who grew up skateboarding and biking, loves seeing kids excited about the sport and enjoys getting to know all the kids.

"The old-fashioned stigma of skateboarding -- kids being labeled as rebels -- stemmed from having nowhere to go," Otto said. "That's definitely going away." While the kids embrace the edginess of the individual action sport, he said, the bad element of skateboarding is almost completely gone.

"Now you see soccer moms on the bleachers; they come with their kids and hang out all day," Otto said.

A two-hour session at Plan Nine Skatepark is $12, and all riders are required to wear a helmet and have a signed liability waiver on file.

Plan Nine Skatepark
Entrance 4 of St. Louis Mills Mall
5555 St. Louis Mills Blvd., Suite 373, Hazelwood, Mo. 63042
314-227-5294

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