Last Fling Skaters picnic held in Naperville

Naperville Police, KidsMatter and the Naperville Park District sponsored the sixth annual Last Fling Skaters Picnic Saturday to strengthen the sometimes precarious bond between skaters and local police.

"We were looking for a way for police to interact with kids in a nonconfrontational, friendly way where we can have a fun time," Naperville Police Department Commander John Gustin said at the at the Centennial Park Skate Facility.

Organizers offered skaters and their parents a free picnic lunch, which was donated by Belgio's Catering in Naperville. The event was among the many offerings at the Last Fling.

Even as a not-as-friendly discussion taking place between a skater and police just outside the event's border, the number of skaters in attendance happily mowed down some hot dogs and sodas while watching others skate in the park.

"The best feedback we get is that the same kids keep coming back to the event every year, and more of them come every year. We want to continue to be considered a positive by the kids, which is why we started it," Gustin said.

Ryan, 10, and Matt Barry, 8, were in their skater gear with their parents enjoying the food and watching people skate. Both Naperville boys have been skating for a couple years - Ryan likes going down the ramps best, while Matt says he likes grinding best.

The event featured skaters from Character Skateboards, which had a professional team of eight there to do a demo and autograph signing. "It's good experience for the kids to get introduced to skateboarding and meet the riders," Character Skateboards owner Alan Butella said.