Skateboard park boots Belleville

BELLEVILLE, Ill. -- The city of Belleville is getting an unexpected boost from the skateboard park it built so local kids would have a trouble-free place to entertain themselves.

The park, paid for with state grant money and opened Nov. 16, has turned out to be a great investment for the city, Alderman Joe Shively said.

Shively said he was surprised to learn that dozens of skateboarders were lined up to use the park on weekdays.