Winooski gets CHILL with Talent Skatepark

On a recent Wednesday afternoon, Miruna Muresan sits down across from a half pipe at Talent Skatepark in South Burlington.

And on the top of that 3 foot half pipe, June Montague stands. Looking down, the beginner tries to drop in after multiple failed attempts. Constant thuds are heard throughout the lobby as Montague falls time and time again. Until finally, “I did it!” June cries out. “Wow! Great Job!” Muresan replies.

June Montague is 10 years old and a skateboarder. Every Wednesday afternoon Miruna Muresan ships a half dozen Winooski children in a minivan from JFK Elementary to Talent Skatepark in South Burlington where they zoom along half pipes and grind rails and ramps.

“When I couldn’t do skateboarding with CHILL it was really annoying because I was too young,” Montague says. “So, I was waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting and begging Miruna the whole time to bend the rules so I could go in. When my mom signed me up for this, I was so happy, I did a whole lap around the house.”

Miruna Muresan is a recreation and parks assistant for the City of Winooski. She graduated from the University of Vermont in 2021 with a degree in biology, chemistry and pharmacology. Faced with the reality of post-grad life, Muresan quickly realized pharmacology was not her style. 

Muresan applied for local AmeriCorps jobs, a government agency that engages Americans in service through a variety of volunteer-with-stipend work programs in different sectors. Muresan found herself in the Recreation and Parks department in Winooski, where she focuses on the recreation more than the parks.

“My job entails planning and facilitating recreation programs for Winooski youth and adults, including art/pottery classes with BCA Studios, performing arts classes with Very Merry Threatre, climbing with MetroRock, skateboarding, snowboarding with Chill, basketball and soccer leagues, dance with local studios, hiking, pickleball, adult yoga, and more!” Muresan says. “We also do themed summer camps, break camps when kids are off from school, and community events.”

Yes, her job is to hang out with students during their after-school programs, and on a deeper level, her job is to serve the community of Winooski.

Have the kids inspired you?

Just seeing them come to programs with the best attitude ever, no matter what’s going on in the world is really inspiring. Mostly, I see it in rock climbing. Every kid that starts is terrified- terrified to go up, terrified of heights, terrified of going down. There have been many tears, but by the end they are so confident in themselves and proud of themselves and that’s super inspiring.

Are you from Winooski?

No, I’m from New Jersey, I came up to Vermont for college and I stayed here. It feels like home. It’s comfortable, it’s cozy, it’s really an ideal situation. Winooski brings that comfort, a little bit more of that slow living. You drive through the streets and there are people gardening outside, and there are little kids riding their bikes and people walking their dogs.

If you could describe Winooski in three words, what would those words be?

Cozy, opportunistic and nostalgic.

Opportunistic in what ways?

Kids are exposed to so many after school programs that I was never exposed to as a kid. A kid is able to take violin lessons one day, then take a coding class at the school the next day then come rock climbing after.

 I just feel like all of these kids have the opportunity to become such well-rounded individuals. We definitely try to break down barriers that get in the way of everything being accessible to everyone.

Do you feel this program is important?

I do feel this is an important program because they [the students] can come to a few hours after school to a safe environment with their friends to let loose and have fun.

How does this program impact Winooski as a whole?

We are the most diverse city in Vermont, which is crazy because Winooski is the diameter of one mile. I think it’s very interesting because skateboarding and rock climbing are very white-dominated sports. It’s really amazing to bring non-white youth into white spaces and have them experience something they might not feel comfortable walking in on alone. Showing kids that it is a safe space where they are wanted is really inspiring and great for everyone that lives in Winooski.

How does this program impact you?

I think this program and this job in general has forced me out of my comfort zone. Because of Covid, and just weird, post-grad life, I was definitely more socially anxious than I had ever been and being put into situations where you have to talk to youth. You have to talk to their parents even though there is a language barrier. I was able to develop professional skills and people skills that are going to impact me for the rest of my life. 

So, how have you used their attitude and progress in your life?

I definitely have with rock climbing. I was terrified. They do things I would never do and just having the kids beg me to be with them and climb with them inspired me to get on the wall. I actually had fun doing it, and I kind of got to break through those boundaries and step out of my comfort zone and into my growth zone. That’s something kids do every day and as adults we can get so stuck in our own routines.