Our Family Skate Association (OFSA) was founded by Jackie Morgan in the early 80’s which is when she began taking her daughter and son to an out-door multi-purpose pavilion in Anacostia Park to roller skate. What Ms. Morgan found at the pavilion was a skating community or “village” style network much like the Barry Farms, Washington, DC community she grew-up in. Recognizing this, newly divorced, she knew this African American “village” could and would serve to help her raise her children and, so, the pavilion become a second home for her and her children.

She initially formed OFSA so the skaters at the pavilion could form a collective voice to express their concerns and address issues regarding the pavilion site, which falls under the apices of the Department of Interior, National Park Service. Over the years OFSA has been instrumental in getting the pavilion designated as a skating rink vs. a multi-purpose facility, getting the name officially changed to the Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion, obtaining roller skates for the pavilion’s loan program, facilitating community roller skating events, establishing and posting rules that foster the safest conditions for roller skaters at the site, and making sure the whole families could access roller skates through the loan program.

In 1999, Ms. Morgan passed the OFSA baton to her daughter, Tasha M. Klusmann, who in September of the same year held the first annual “Family Skate Day” to address glaring community needs. The event was design to foster family togetherness, family fitness, and encourage community members to reestablish the tradition of “village” style community relationships. In keeping with the roots of OFSA the event was held at the Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion thus enabling the most economical disadvantaged of the community an opportunity to participate as the site offers free admission and free skate rental. Since 1999, Ms. Klusmann has continued building on her Mother’s rich legacy further expanding OFSA’s event calendar to include events for elders within the skating community and community members with disabilities. She has begun developing projects to carry out the organizations mission, which is to educate the general public on the health and social benefits of roller skating and the history of roller skating in the African American community. With the support of volunteers and through partnerships OFSA is excited by the prospect of another 20 plus years of Family, Fitness and Fun.

“Roller Skating and So Much More.”