COEUR d'ALENE - Woody McEvers vividly remembers using a milk crate and metallic wheels to create a skateboard when he was a child.

The Coeur d'Alene City Council President told The Press on Friday that those childhood memories left him interested in the evolution of skateboarding - from its inception to modern recognition as a legitimate sport - throughout his adult life. It also made McEvers one of the most prominent supporters of CDA SK8 PRK, a group dedicated to raising funds to build a new skate park in the Lake City while shattering negative perceptions about the sport.

"With that new energy and those faces out front it's not that hoodlum feeling anymore - these are professional guys and this is their sport," McEvers said of the group. "It made it easier for me to be supportive. I'll be there when they are in a battle; I'll stand up for them."

McEvers added that he has watched a lot of the individuals involved in the organization grow up in Coeur d'Alene and has seen their passion for the skating community in the city grow as well.

"All of a sudden they're adults and they have children," he added. "Skating has been their life, they're passing it on to their kids, and they want something better for their kids."

One of those individuals is Jason Olsen, who serves as the president of CDA SK8 PRK. Olsen, 41, told The Press that he grew up skating and met his best friends, as well as his wife, through the sport.

"Now, as I'm sharing that passion with my kids, I'm really trying to change the negative perception in this community," he added.

On Sunday, the organization's efforts will be on display along Sherman Avenue for GO Skate Day. Olsen said the group has organized events like GO Skate Day for a few years as a way to inform residents of the growing extreme sports community right in their backyard.

"They all have done very well and every year we strive to take our case and mission to the next level," Olsen said.

At 10 a.m., participants will meet at Java on Sherman, located at 819 Sherman Ave., to prepare to parade downtown to the current skate park. Once 11 a.m. hits, skaters of all ages will "bomb" down the street, showing off their talents along the way.

After the parade, festivities will begin at the skate park and local punk-rock band Scatterbox will provide the background music.

"In the past we have had events like farthest board toss and highest ollie," Olsen said. "Some prizes will be handed out, but mostly it's for fun and to build community among our skaters and bikers."

The event is free of charge, and Olson said his group will be accepting donations and selling T-shirts and food with 100 percent of the proceeds going toward the new park. For more information, visit http://on.fb.me/1IAwNkO or www.cdask8prk.com.

"Come and support a positive lifestyle that teaches kids persistence, individuality and self-expression while meeting some new friends," Olsen said.