Skate Park

Bobby, I got info on a skate park, which I gave to the mission playpark committee. I'm not sure who has it now, maybe Cindy Meadows has it. It was a catalog of the different components needed for a full blown skate park as well as a "skate spot" which was on our list for the park at Helen McCall. I spoke to the sales person, who would love to come out and talk about skate parks and what is needed.

As SGB and Jdarg stated, we need more park land to accomodate the things we are lacking that most communities have: Playgrounds, a competitive pool, tennis courts, and a skate park. We currently have none of them! I wish the purchase, planning, development and construction moved more quickly.

Hi all,

I'm new to the area and glad to be here. I'd be even more happy if there was a skatepark. Skateparks, well built concrete ones, are a boon for communities across the country. I personally have been to over a hundred across the states and more in other countries. I have traveled hundreds of miles specifically to skate, regardless of where, as many skateparks are in localities distinctly lacking any other attraction. Donald, OR, pop. 978 or so, has an excellent skatepark, which by the way is almost always occupied 24/7/365. I can't say the same for their football field.

I have been skating for over 20 years, 20 years that has shaped me greatly. I am a social worker (focusing on foster care and child/adolescent mental health) with a graduate level education, who has utilized skating in both my personal and professional life. Skating is transformative. Many call it an individual sport. Well, no, that is not entirely the case. Sure it is an individual activity but the connection that you get with other skaters and the act itself, whether at a park, in the street, or in the backyard, are meaningful and can strengthen community and culture. Skating influences art, music, literature and so many other facets of our world.

This area is perfect for a park.

Having read this post I noticed the normal major concerns regarding public skateparks. Namely, injuries. Having helped in the development of more than a handful of public parks I have seen this argument played out statistically, personally, legally and more often than not very irrationally. Sure, skating can hurt, it can disable and cause serious injury. I personally know some who died while skating. However, the same can be said for pretty much any other activity. There are hundreds already existing around the country and more being built each day. Obviously, liability can be dealt with. There are rather simple public policies that can be put in place that can stifle any lawsuit happy parents. My favorite is in California, where they ruled skateboarding as a hazardous activity and one cannot sue after injuring oneself while skating. Sure I simplified the law but there are many other methods of dealing with this issue.
Arguments against skateparks from a public health viewpoint are rather ludicrous.

Money is always an issue as well. I live south of the bay and work far north of the bay. As a social worker I deal with community fiscal issues regularly and have some opinions on the state of Walton County financial concerns. I really cannot, with a straight face, listen to financial concerns in sowal. Sure, public budgets are always tight and getting tighter, but there is money here. Lots. 30A Radio just earned roughly 13k in a few hours. Alys Beach can turn a profit for a cause. We can't do that for a recreational activity for walton county kids??????

I personally/professionally know many kids who need something to do. Trust me they need something.

The major flaw with most parks, is the lack of finding the best people to build them. Localities often go for the lowball bid, unqualified contractors with no skating history, or they go with wood parks. Quality concrete parks are easily maintained, skaters themselves will often apply the bondo when needed. I have.

Florida, lucky us, has teampain.com who have built epic parks across the world, including Milton, FL. grindline.com has built in FL (my personal fave) dreamlandskateparks.com are excellent as well.

Well, I'm going to stop writing, I just saw the postings and had to say something. I hope to DO something.

WHAT'S NEXT????????

http://brookrunskateboardpark.com/


Check out this skate park in Atlanta - the above site is all about the skate park part, but there are playgrounds there with this soft rubber surfacing that is really cool. Just a little more info on another skate park that I thought I would share with you guys.
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Sign posted at the new Freeport City Park, still shows skate park on the sketch. Construction has begun on the park, but I cannot see signs of the skate park being constructed at this time.

I would like to form a committee on this skate park issue. I say we all meet Feb 13. Location TBD. I would like to see who could meet.

Thanks

I'm in, let me know what I can do.

There is a small park in Sarasota that we have gone to. As a parent I liked the fact that it was fenced in, the kids signed in at the "gatehouse". If they had a member pass (a picture id) and a helmet, they went right on in, all of their emergency contact info was already on file. Membership was $30 a year. If they did not have a pass then their parent had to check them in and give all of the emergency contact info.
As a skater, my son liked that he could just go there whenever he wanted to and skate till he dropped (or drop in till he dropped).

It wasn't supervised to the point that there was a lifeguard on duty, looking over and blowing whistles if they went too high, too fast or whatever but if some kid went down hard, there was someone there who could make level headed decisions and had all of the necessary phone numbers to get help.

Hi all,

I'm new to the area and glad to be here. I'd be even more happy if there was a skatepark. Skateparks, well built concrete ones, are a boon for communities across the country. I personally have been to over a hundred across the states and more in other countries. I have traveled hundreds of miles specifically to skate, regardless of where, as many skateparks are in localities distinctly lacking any other attraction. Donald, OR, pop. 978 or so, has an excellent skatepark, which by the way is almost always occupied 24/7/365. I can't say the same for their football field.

This has probably already been mentioned but the county Recreational board meets monthly to deal with recreational plans, issues, and programs. Has anyone approached them to see what the feeling would be on moving along with something like this? It is all my 14 year old son talks about, so I do not see why something can not at least be studied.

This has probably already been mentioned but the county Recreational board meets monthly to deal with recreational plans, issues, and programs. Has anyone approached them to see what the feeling would be on moving along with something like this? It is all my 14 year old son talks about, so I do not see why something can not at least be studied.

They have been approached at various times but my understanding is we will need to get an organized plan to show more community support. This is all good when we are at home sitting in front of the computer but we have had problems when we ask folks to step to the plate. Hopefully, this will not be one of those issue. We will see. We have one person that has said they will come. I may have to pm all on this thread to see who is serious in helping this dream become a reality.

Bobby, I'll sign the petition, but I'm not the driving force you are looking for. My skating skills are very limited to flat, level ground. Old bones don't heal so quickly.

Bobby, I'll sign the petition, but I'm not the driving force you are looking for. My skating skills are very limited to flat, level ground. Old bones don't heal so quickly.

Not sure I am looking for just skaters. I think we are looking for people that will help the county see why this would be a good idea. I have all the info we will need, we just need a strong group to assimilate it and help put it in front of the right people.

bobby - i'm in dude! kids come first and i will offer any help i can in assisting in this project. i went to the first skate park in sofla back in the 70's with my HOMEMADE board. i want to see the other public park amenities come to fruition as well, especially a community pool, but like one poster said "the tweeners" group needs their skate park and this group of kids may actually represent the majority as you suggest.

i will offer my services as a cook for any type of creative fundraiser - maybe a concert/bbq/skate festival thing?

post the meeting time and place and i will be there and i officially pledge $200.

nice work bobby.

If we want to get in on the planning meetings about this possibly being included in the expansion @ McCall they are already planning meetings and have a developer on board, we need to jump on this..........

Land-use workshops to be held for proposed park expansion
January 15, 2008 Sean Boone

With the proposed 10-acre expansion of Helen McCall Park, Walton officials have scheduled three public workshops later this month to find out what residents want at the park.

The workshops are being held at the South Walton Annex building conference room on Jan. 28, 30 and Feb. 1. The January dates will meet at 6 p.m. and the February date at 4 p.m.

“We are working with a team of master planners to develop the public workshops,” said Walton County Commissioner Cindy Meadows. “Monday, Wednesday and Friday the designers will be available (outside of the workshops) to listen to citizens’ input. By the end of the week of workshops, we will have a preliminary master plan.”

Here is the schedule:

Public Workshops for Design of Helen McCall Park - SoWal Beaches Forum

I believe playing field expansion, facilities (restrooms/parking), and playground are on for the first "go-around". I attended the meeting at Cindy Meadow's office right before Christmas, and a skate park and pool were mentioned, but not for this first expansion. Maybe SGB or Supermom will see this and can comment further.

How many of us can get to the meeting on Monday? I can be there.