Last week a dream became reality for a group of area skateboarders and their parents.

A skateboarding plaza was officially opened at Riverside Park, signifying a partnership between Mount Airy and a group of local residents, and marking the culmination of efforts which have been going on for more than two years.

It also was an example of the right way to tackle a challenge.

Mount Airy, like many communities across the nation, has a contingent of youth and adults who enjoy skateboarding. However, it has often proven difficult to find adequate places to enjoy their sport. The city does not allow skateboarding on public streets or sidewalks, and most business owners ban the activity from their parking lots.

Rather than simply complain and ignore those laws and regulations, local skateboarders, along with some of their parents, formed Skate Mount Airy Inc., a non-profit organization formed to raise money and build a skate park.

The group approached the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners about forming a partnership in the effort, and the city signed on, allowing some alterations at Riverside for the construction of the facility.

Skate Mount Airy announced plans to raise the money shortly before the economy went into a tailspin. The group’s leaders and members shouldered on, holding fundraisers, seeking donations, and retooling their plans to fit what the group could afford. Last Friday their dreams came to fruition.

This shows when people are determined to do something the right way, and are patient, good things happen.