Skatepark can’t find a new home
Council, skatepark board have three locations, but no decision
WILSONVILLE, OREGON – It’s all about location, location, location. But choosing one seems to be a problem that no one can solve.
Jim Barnes, a parent and organizer of the Wilsonville skatepark Association, said last week he is preparing to make a presentation to the Wilsonville City Council later this month about finally settling on a location for a new skatepark.
“We are not asking for any funding, just a location,” Barnes said. “With a site we can start preliminary designs and fundraising for a new park. It’s an important piece.”
There have been three sites considered — Memorial Park near the current skate feature, Courtside Drive across from Wilsonville City Hall and Murase Plaza.
Barnes and his group plan to present more information to the council on Nov. 16, including a video of local parks to show councilors how they work. He’s hoping there will be some decision made that night about a prospective location for a new park.
Mayor Tim Knapp, however, said he doesn’t see the meeting as any indication of an imminent decision.
“I would like to see what the skate board advocates have to say before saying that we are making a decision that night,” Knapp said. “I don’t want to prejudge.”
Up to this point Knapp has said he would like to see council consensus on the location of the park. But elected officials have been and remain split on the issue.
Despite that, Knapp said he is committed to finding common ground.
“I don’t have any preconception of where it should be,” Knapp said. “Obviously I think it’s more appropriate when talking about a community amenity, to have a consensus on any proposal.”
Barnes said he wants to see the skatepark site chosen at the meeting regardless of consensus.
“I think it’s always hard to get five people unanimous on a topic,” he said. “I am hoping there has been enough discussion around the three sites, for people to have an opinion. I am hoping that the councilors feel that the youth of Wilsonville deserve a skatepark, or the opportunity for a skatepark — just as they have basketball, football and baseball fields. I am hoping the council will support this as a youth sport activity and they will feel enough support that a split vote could go forward.”
Councilor claims questioned
Councilor Michelle Ripple said during a council work session last month that the Park and Recreation Board unanimously approved the Courtside site. She did not note, however, that the vote was taken in December 2007.
Now, some of the members on the current parks board are calling her statements into question.
“At one point it was true,” said Brent Timm, a new board member. “But to say that now is a half-truth. It was true before I was brought on the board, but I don’t want my name on that approval. I can’t speak for the rest of the board, but I am wholeheartedly against the skateboard park.”
Timm is one of three new members on the board.
Parker Johnstone, another member of the board who initially supported the Courtside Drive site, also called into question Ripple’s comments.
“It is true that nearly a year ago, I, along with others on the Parks and Recreation Board, considered all possible locations that were presented to us and determined that the property adjacent City Hall was the most desirable place to locate a new skating facility,” Johnstone wrote in an email to the Spokesman. “Since that time, I have done extensive research into the design, construction costs, and ‘collateral’ issues involved with skating facilities, and in reflection, feel the most fiscally prudent place to locate a new facility is in Memorial Park – if the decision to move forward is made. I have stated my position clearly, so for someone to say that the Parks and Recreation board is ‘unanimous’ is incorrect.”
Ripple maintains the December 2007 is the only official vote of the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee, and therefore she is right in saying they were unanimous.
“Some of the people on now weren’t on then, but it was unanimous,” Ripple said Friday.
Council still split on location
If the decision can be made to site the skatepark, it appears the mayor will make the deciding vote.
Councilor Alan Kirk said last week he still is opposed to the Courtside Drive location.
“I think it’s still status quo,” Kirk said. “I haven’t heard anything about which site is preferred except for the Courtside Drive. And my opinion is well documented about that site.”
While he remains against the Courtside Drive site because of the value of the unused commercial property, other councilors are advocating for the vacant land because of the visibility.
“Visibility is the key and the Courtside site has the best visibility, bar none,” Ripple said. “Every study that has ever been done on this topic says that visibility is the key factor. The Courtside site has two public streets right there and the kid’s perception will be that people are always watching them.”
Ripple said she won’t support the Memorial Park site because of safety issues she outlined last summer. Last week she said she doesn’t like the Murase Plaza site either.
“We can’t afford to build it, so like the pool which we sited 10 to 12 years ago, we can site the skate board park now, and change it if a better site is found,” Ripple said. “I will not support the Murase Plaza site because I don’t think it’s visible enough. Plus we had a gang shooting there.”
Kirk said he wants to hear the presentation Nov. 16 before commenting on the Murase Plaza site.
Councilor Steve Hurst said he currently favors finding a skatepark location.
“I think we should site it even if there isn’t unanimity with the council,” Hurst said. “I want to see it built. It needs to be done because there is a huge demographic of kids who skate. I think visibility is vital and the Courtside location could also help to bring extra business to Lamb’s Marketplace and other businesses in the area.”
