Skate Park

[Bobby J]

I was really not sure where to put this thread. Skating has become one of the fastest growing sports in the world and this area seems to be ripe for a skate park. I think more kids skate then play baseball or football. Looking to hear some feedback on this issue. I know the county has liability concerns but my understanding is that the park would fall under the same category as a "park". They could not be held liable if someone is injured. I wold love to have more for kids to do around here.

Lets see some pros and cons on this one.

Thanks

 

[Smiling JOe]

I thought the City of Freeport was putting a skate area in the new City Park on Bay Loop Rd. Did they change that?

 

[beachmouse]

One thing to look at is cashflow if you're operating on a fee basis. I'm not sure how the BMX/skate park in FWB is going finance-wise but I seem to remember that the one in Niceville was running in the red until they added the paintball area.

And you probably do want to have a fee since you really do need at least one attendant for the area.

 

[Camp Creek Kid]

I believe that this issue has been addressed during the Operation Play Park meetings. JDarg, SGB, or Supermom will probably know for sure, but a small skate park or, skate boarding course, was on the wish list. I don't know if it was included in the final plans.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Why don't the kids just use Foley's? Some teens down the street from me set up a rail and ramp in the street every day. No one seems to be complaining about it.

 

[Bobby J]

This would be a free skate park. Like a football Field or baseball field. The only difference is it will get more use and less upkeep for the county. I really think our tax dollars should be put to use for something like this. We should have the same vision as Milton, Fl? Come on...

 

[Smiling JOe]

A con from the County's perspective would be liability. They seemed to get over that fear by allowing the Dog Park to be built on County-owned property, but I think a skate park has more risk of injury than a dog park. Do you know how Milton, FL addressed their liability concerns? From what I understand, posting a sign and saying "skate at your own risk" doesn't eliminate liability.

 

[Bobby J]

A con from the County's perspective would be liability. They seemed to get over that fear by allowing the Dog Park to be built on County-owned property, but I think a skate park has more risk of injury than a dog park. Do you know how Milton, FL addressed their liability concerns? From what I understand, posting a sign and saying "skate at your own risk" doesn't eliminate liability.

There is a law that the senate passed that eliminates liability. It was designed specifically for skate parks. It was designed to encourage skate parks. The county will try to use the liability issue but that will not fly because it simply is not fact. The law that was pushed through encourages skate parks because kids will get injured when they do not have a place to skate. I have some info being emailed as I write this. I was told there was an area set aside at Helen McCall park for a skate park but the county seems to be dragging on this issue. SoWal would really take a step into the future if we were to get a real skate park!

 

[Smiling JOe]

Can the senate legally do that? Surely, it cannot be a complete blanket of protection. What happens if the park is not properly maintained and a kid gets paralyzed for life from an accident caused by the lack of maintenance performed by the County? (Just questions which will be asked.)

I bet you are right about the stats of injuries at skate parks vs illegal skating on public property like hand rails down staircases, benches in parks, etc.

 

[Bobby J]

Could you imagine the positive publicity SoWal would get if we took a positive step for the kids... Many kids are just not in tune with Football, baseball and soccer, especially in coastal areas. They like to surf and skate!