It’s time to find a home for the skatepark
WILSONVILLE, OREGON – Wilsonville’s current 3,500-square-foot skate spot was built in Memorial Park in 1999. In 2005 an effort was begun to work with Wilsonville’s Community Services Department, Park and Recreation Advisory Board, and the city council to create a plan for expanding the skateboarding options in Wilsonville.
This led to the city council adopting the 2007 Parks and Recreation Master Plan which included the development of a “Community-scale Skatepark/Plaza.” Since that time the city council has had numerous discussions on where to site a new skate park and the pros and cons of the sites. The support of the council and community services department has been wonderful as we work to bring this project to a new beginning.
The Wilsonville Skate Park Association (WSPA) will be making a presentation at the Nov. 16 city council meeting to respond to some prior questions asked by the council and to ask the council to finalize the site selection process by year-end. Please show your support by attending the meeting or sending a letter to the council at 29799 S.W. Town Center Loop E, Wilsonville, 97070.
Currently there are three sites under consideration: Courtside Drive (just north and west of City Hall), Murase Park (between the driveway and parking lot), and Memorial Park (expand the current location). Each site has its own set of unique features. The “best” site will depend on which features are most important to you. All three are owned by the city.
At this time the WSPA is only asking the council to select a site. We are not asking for construction funds. Current economic times are difficult and expenditures must be reviewed carefully. However, finalizing a site will allow the WSPA and city staff to begin the process of fund raising, grant writing and preliminary park design for citizen review. Without a site location and basic designs in place, it is nearly impossible to secure grant funding. The goal is to start construction in 2011.
The Council is interested in experiences other cities have had with skateparks. The WSPA surveyed the cities of West Linn, Tualatin, Tigard, and Newberg and heard an overwhelmingly positive response.
Accordingly, WSPA believes a new, full size skatepark will be a good addition to the city’s park system; provide expanded physical activity options, increase park usage and be a great use of city owned land.
The WSPA is a local citizen group focused on working with the city and members of the Community to develop skateboarding as a healthy activity for our community.
