Skateboarders can often be pigeonholed as troublemakers, but on Saturday, Nick Mitchell, 29, and Kyle Lopes, 25, hoped to turn that stereotype on its head with the second annual Shred Fest at the Mattapoisett Skatepark, located beside the Mattapoisett Police Station.

“I love helping kids out. I love watching younger kids have fun on a board and improving,” said Lopes, who coordinated the event with Mitchell. “The younger generation is having fun with it. They’re the future of skating.”

Lopes began skating in the fourth grade and hasn’t stopped since.

“Once I step on a board, I can’t help myself from trying new tricks,” he said.

Mitchell shares similar interests and Lopes’ commitment to the sport.

“It’s all about getting rid of the stigma,” said Mitchell, “We’re not just punks vandalizing. Skateboarding teaches kids dedication and life lessons.”

Unfortunately, the ten-year-old skate park has seen better days. Saturday’s event was not only hosted to change the community's opinions on skateboarding, but it is also being used to raise money to fix cracks, improve ramps and, possibly, to expand.

As kids, Lopes and Mitchell, along with area skaters, pushed for the Mattapoisett Skate Committee. Mitchell and Lopes partnered up with Mattapoisett Police Chief Mary Lyons and raised enough money and support to put a skate park in town.

“It took a lot of work,” says Lopes. “It wasn’t just that we wanted a skate park and we got one.”

Finally in 2004, the Mattapoisett Skatepark was built and ready for use. It has since welcomed skaters from around the South Coast. And ten years later, Mitchell and Lopes are still a fixture at the park and motivating kids around the community to give skating a chance.

Bryan Querin, 11, of Mattapoisett participated in Saturday’s event. As one of the youngest guys out there, he looks up to the older skateboarders.

“The skaters around the park inspire me. They make me want to learn more,” said Bryan.

Skater Chris Jesus, 20, of New Bedford shares Mitchell and Lopes concerns for the community's outlook on skateboarding.

“I hope they see that skateboarding is recreational,” he said. “There’s no need to hate skaters!”

Local shops such as Solstice and Xtremely Board’s donated items for Shred Fest, and Mitchell and Lopes thanked Chief Lyons for her continued support of the park.