1992–2005 — Zero Gravity Skatepark.
The Cotter-Sparrow family owned and operated Zero Gravity in Rutland. Contemporary sources describe it as a 25,000-sq.-ft. indoor park at Giorgetti Park, but locals remember it as the best place to get dropped off after school, with a vert pamp, mini ramp, huge street course and awesome design.
Oh, and a foam pit!
2005 — Zero Gravity closes.
The owners became involved with Whaleback Mountain in New Hampshire, and the Rutland Zero Gravity park was shut down with equipment intended to be relocated to Whaleback.
Around 2009 — Flipside opens at Giorgetti.
The city-run incarnation of the summer-only skatepark inside Giorgetti Arena was operating with volunteer efforts relied upon to run it and maintain the features. It was a community effort with Darkside Snowboard shop handling much of the legwork.
2015 — Major Flipside rebuild/reopening.
The Flipside “Re-Opening Day” was celebrated on May 30, 2015. The new park was better than ever with new ramps, surfaces and more!
2016–2018 — Flipside’s Rutland Recreation Era.
Rutland City Recreation Department took over management of the operation of Flipside (with help from local community members.) In 2016, over $10,000 in fundraising proceeds in honor of Robbie Ettori, a local teen who struggled with mental health, were raised to maintain Flipside, and the Rec Department matched the donation.
2020 — Flipside officially closes.
New walls were added to the Giorgetti Arena to improve the ice quality during the winter months, and the skatepark became a hot box during the summer. The fees to use the park were high and participation numbers dwindled. Though it should be noted, on free skate events or rainy days, the park was still packed. However, with many priorities to manage, The City of Rutland and Recreation Department chose to repurpose Giorgetti Arena for the summer months and look for alternative skatepark locations.
2022 — White’s Rec Center Park opens.
Many of the ramps, rails and other features were donated to other area skateparks and municipalities, but a few were relocated to White’s Memorial Pool tennis courts, where local skaters spent hours upon hours perfecting their tricks.
2023 — The End of an Era
The skate features at White’s Pool did not hold up to a Vermont winter, and for safety, the Recreation Department and City opted to remove the facility. Rutland has been without a public skatepark ever since.
