Ann Arbor skate park rolls toward final design

Posted on Sun, Apr 25, 2010 : 8:42 p.m.

Ann Arbor skate park rolls toward final design

By James Dickson

Skatepark designer Wally Hollyday explains his vision. Hollyday has been designing and building skateparks since 1977.

James Dickson | AnnArbor.com

The movement to build Ann Arbor's first skate park took another step forward Sunday when the Ann Arbor Skatepark Action Committee held the last of two design workshops at Slauson Middle School with veteran skate park designer Wally Hollyday.

Hollyday last came to Ann Arbor in October to ask area youth what they'd like to see in a skate park. On Sunday afternoon, he returned to town to reveal two possible designs.

"I'm not here to tell you what I want," Hollyday told the three dozen Ann Arborites in attendance. "I'm here to get your feedback and adapt my designs to it."

In March, the Washtenaw County parks and recreation commission approved $400,000 in matching funds for the skate park, which would be located in a 30,000-square-foot space in the northwest corner of Veterans Park.

Trevor Staples, chair of the action committee, said a skate park that size will cost between $800,000 and $1 million to build.

Jeff Dehring, a planner with the county's parks and recreation commission, said the commission approved the funds because the skate park fills a niche in the county. "We had an underserved need there," he said.

The skate park would be not only the first of its kind in Ann Arbor, but the first in Washtenaw County. Dehring likened the effort to the push to build dog parks in the area, which the county has supported in the past.

The county's money will come from a millage fund earmarked for park development in Washtenaw County.

Austin Williams, 13, has gotten into skating over the last three years. Problem is, he doesn't really have anywhere to do it regularly. Skateboarding downtown is all but a guaranteed ticket. And skating in his neighborhood, in the South Maple area, isn't always the safest option with cars all over the place.

"A skate park would give me somewhere to go, where there aren't any cars and where I can't get in trouble" for boarding, Williams said.

City Council Member Carsten Hohnke, D-5th Ward, counts himself as a supporter of the skate park. While the city hasn't taken any financial role in the park yet - and may never - Hohnke said city hall can still play a big role in the park's success. Part of the $1 million budget for the skate park will set aside an endowment so the city won't have to maintain it.

"It's not insignificant that the city has committed (30,000 square feet) of Veterans Park to the skatepark," Hohnke said. "But what we can do is provide some of our expertise on the back end."

After a short walkthrough of his two designs - long story short, the second design offers more green space but a bigger environmental footprint - Hollyday went around the room seeking feedback from parents, community members and skaters. But mostly, he zeroed in on the skaters.

As Hollyday and the skaters talked half-pipes and step-ups and the esoterica of skate park design, chief fundraiser Jim Reische talked money.

The county's offer of matching funds was huge, said Reische, a development writer at U-M, because it turns each dollar of donations into two dollars. Reische declined to give projections on how long he thinks it will take to raise the $1 million, but said a variety of sources are being tapped - from local businesses to skateboarding businesses to small donors.

About $40,000 has been raised thus far, $80,000 when you include matching funds.

"We're in a heavy fundraising mode right now," Reische said. "The more people we have contributing smaller amounts, the better we can show corporate donors that we've got the community's support."

The action committee will stage a fundraiser at the Vault of Midnight comic shop on May 15.

Hollyday left the meeting with a stack of feedback, scribbled onto the tentative designs he brought. Now he will go back to California to incorporate the best suggestions.

On May 22, the longtime skate park designer will unveil his final vision at the Ann Arbor Art Center. Then Hollyday will put his name in the hat with other skate park designers for the chance to build his vision.

James David Dickson can be reached at JamesDickson@AnnArbor.com.

Comments

mike Klein

Tue, Apr 27, 2010 : 3:40 p.m.

Excellent. As the father of a kid who has to practically be dragged off of his skateboard to eat dinner, I am very excited about the possibility that my son will have a nice place to skate and learn his stuff. One of the great things about being a kid is having the time to devote to your great passions whatever they may be and with the development of this skatepark, kids and adults alike will have a chance to more fully experience that passion. I will be at the fundraiser at the Vault of Midnight on May 15 to show my support.

MichU

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 9:37 p.m.

Very cool.

jcj

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 8:08 p.m.

Mr Thompson While I appreciate your trying to bring me up to speed as you see it concerning underground storm water systems. I oversaw building a few of them 12-15 years ago before I retired. So I am somewhat familiar with the idea. My guess is that if this was something you thought was a worthwhile project you would not be any where near as concerned as you would like us to believe with the storm water.

Trevor Staples

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 7:53 p.m.

This is a direct quote from the PAC resolution: "Whereas City staff and the Ann Arbor Skate Park Action Committee assure the Parks Advisory Commission of the necessity that any final design must meet storm water and other environmental requirements and both parties will make all possible efforts to exceed those." And this is directly from the Memorandum of Intent between the City and the Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark: "4. Environmental Responsibility. It is the intention of the parties that the Facility will meet or exceed all storm water management and other environmental requirements, and will compliment the current park and landscape. The parties intend to minimize the environmental impact of the Facility, incorporating where practical, solar powered lights, preservation of existing trees, use of drought resistant species of tress, and low maintenance ground covers. If possible, the Facility will also incorporate public art."

Trevor Staples

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 4:05 p.m.

Mr. Thompson brings up points about skatepark/stormwater issues that were resolved two years ago at a public hearing on the location of the skatepark at the May, 2008 Park Advisory Commission (PAC) meeting. As Mr. Thompson knows, since he was at that public hearing, the PAC unanimously approved the Veterans Memorial Park location for the skatepark. Heres a link to the minutes from that meeting (once you get to the page, click on the May, 2008 link): http://www.a2gov.org/government/communityservices/ParksandRecreation/parks/PAC/Pages/PACMINUTESARCHIVE2004-2006.aspx The City Council chambers were packed to standing room only that night. This provoked Commissioner Berla to suggest that the Skate Park Public Hearing portion of the agenda be moved up due to the over whelming attendance in support at the meeting. 15 speakers spoke in support of the skatepark, and 1 opposed to it (Mr. Thompson). The PAC saw the community support, created a resolution, and voted unanimously to approve it. Shortly after that, the City Council unanimously approved the resolution. A memo of intent was created and signed by all parties involved, and weve continued to work toward our goal since then. Let me repeat that both the PAC and council voted UNANIMOUSLY to approve the location for the skatepark, with ONE person in the entire city coming out to oppose it. The end of deliberations on whether or not Veterans Memorial Park is the appropriate location for the skatepark will have its 2-year anniversary on May 20. -Trevor Staples Chair, Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark

jcj

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 3:30 p.m.

@Matt Cooper "detract from the natural beauty of Vets Park" Your grasping for straws here! Wets Park has very little use these days compared to what it used to be. The sledding hill gets lots of action a few days during the winter. But other than that there are not that many baseball or softball games like the old days. @Glen Thompson "Ultimately the city will have to ignore it's own storm water ordinance or spend an extra million or two because of the proposed Vets Park location." Really? 1 acre of green space lost is that significant? Maybe if it were a dog run you would not object. But then we would have all that fecal waste running into Allen drain. And we would have the same problem I believe they have at Swift Run.

jlkddd

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 3:30 p.m.

Has their been research on other skate parks in public parks? I know that there is a Skate Park in Jackson, has anyone researched injury's that have happened there? This might be a good idea, however I haven't heard anything about this. Also, there is a skate video that is being sold at Vault of Midnight that benefits the skate park, if anyone is interested.

Matt Cooper

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 11:28 a.m.

PPS. Another correction LOL. Where I said "1. To those that claim skating is safer than whatever other sports exist, let me point out that as a softball player you are required to sign a waiver of liability in the case of injury. You are also required to have your own medical/health coverage, or else you can't play at Vet's Park or any other park in Ann Arbor." I was referering to softball league play, not someone just showing up with a bunch of friends. My point was that they city takes great care to relieve themselves of the responsibility of liability in the case of any injuries(with appropriate documentation, mind you), so as to avoid being sued for someone's carelessness. How will the skate park take care to avoid litigation for injuries suffered there?

Matt Cooper

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 11:24 a.m.

PS. Where I said "someone suffered a serious injury while diving off one of those diving boards and sure the city.", I meant to say someone sued the city.

Matt Cooper

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 11:21 a.m.

Two quick points: 1. To those that claim skating is safer than whatever other sports exist, let me point out that as a softball player you are required to sign a waiver of liability in the case of injury. You are also required to have your own medical/health coverage, or else you can't play at Vet's Park or any other park in Ann Arbor. And in the case of a child not wearing protective gear, and I don't mean knee pads or gloves, I mean head protection, well...once is all it takes. Have you ever seen a kid with a closed head injury? Ever seen a kid become quadriplegic and know that he will spend the rest of his days in that condition? I have. 2. Ever wonder why the Ann Arbor swimming pools no longer have diving boards? Those were "use at your own risk" as well...until someone suffered a serious injury while diving off one of those diving boards and sure the city. I still say there are much better uses for that nearly half-million dollars than to build a skate park that will serve such a small fraction of Washtenaw counties population, detract from the natural beauty of Vets Park and potentially be the cause of serious injuries.

krc

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 11:10 a.m.

And, Bobby John, that wasn't even close to a park. It was just a half pipe. I know nothing about skateboarding other than what I've seen around town. I applaud this! I think it's a great idea. I hope it is built while there is still some good weather left so our kids can go there and have a blast!

trs80

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 10:26 a.m.

@BobbyJohn - Was that Skate park outdoor only? That might be your answer. Kind of hard to skate in the snow.

glenn thompson

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 10:16 a.m.

Vets Park is in the headwater region of the Allen Creek and is an ideal location for storm water retention and treatment. The city will spend over a million dollars in West Park this summer for storm water treatment while the skate park proposes to make an additional acre of Vets impervious. Ultimately the city will have to ignore it's own storm water ordinance or spend an extra million or two because of the proposed Vets Park location.

Wolverine3660

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 9:13 a.m.

Skateboarding is a relatively safe sort. Only a few skateboarders at the top level of the sport can perform the stunts one sees on TV, at the Extreme Games and such. Most kids who skateboard and rollerblade do stuff that is relatively safe, as long as they wear a helmet.

AAJoker

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 8:21 a.m.

People need to look a little further into the half pipe that was at Vets, I can offer insight as I used to work the pipe. The city made access to the pipe very stringent and expensive which lead to a low usage rate thus leading neglect and disrepair. The only way a skatepark will succeed is a "skate at your own risk", I have seen this in other countries (where the lawyers don't run t he place).

BobbyJohn

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 8:06 a.m.

City of Ann Arbor opened a skate park at Vets about 15 or so years ago when skateboarding was more popular than it is today (during Tony Hawk's heyday. It was closed down after a few years due to lack of use and lack of maintenance. I hope that the current planners of this generations project due a better job of planning and supporting this project. Hey, skateboarders of some maturity, do you remember why the previous skate park failed?

URmaster

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 7:52 a.m.

I want to take a moment and applaud Trevor Staples and A2 City Council member Carsten Hohnke on maintaining the project's momentum and vision. This project, once completed, will provide a safe environment for kids of all ages to gather and skateboard. While I did have the luxury of skateboarding to school for P.E. credit back in the 80s, I would have much rather enjoyed the relative safety and challenges of well designed skate park. I am delighted that our kids will have that opportunity! Keep up the great work!

BobbyJohn

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 7:14 a.m.

SMAIVE

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 6:58 a.m.

... the first of its kind in Ann Arbor, but the first in Washtenaw County... I guess size does matter. Whatever, though not as over the top as this proposal, Saline attempted a skate park years ago. It also had its dog park long before A2.

jcj

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 6:53 a.m.

While there are many places these funds could be spent. I support this project. Our tax dollars are always being poured down some rat hole. Its time we put some of those dollars towards a group of kids that seem to be looked down on. My kids were not skate boarders and my grandkids are not skateboarders. But both my kids and their kids have benifitted from more "conventional" sports and the dollars spent on those sports. I look forward to visiting once it is built.

Trevor Staples

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 6:45 a.m.

The skatepark will be "skate at your own risk" not unlike if you were to go shoot hoops, play tennis or ride your bike or inline skates in a city park. If users were required to wear protective gear, there must be attendants on duty. That costs the city (taxpayers) money, and puts the liability straight onto the city. Most, if not all, public skateparks in MI are free to use and skate at your own risk. Here's a helpful quote from our website (http://www.a2skatepark.org): Isn't skateboarding dangerous? According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, it is less dangerous than football, baseball, basketball, soccer, and ice hockey, and about as dangerous as softball! Skateboarding is more of a hazard to non-skating pedestrians, vehicles, and businesses downtown, the only place skaters have to skate locally. Questioning the legitimacy of spending public money on, well, anything, is a popular theme lately. The skatepark is not immune to this commentary. Dave Askins of the Ann Arbor Chronicle explained our situation very well in the comments section of a recent article he wrote about the skatepark: "Re: [11] Unbelievable!! The county is cutting basic services for those in need yet they are going to fund a new rec facility. From the text of the article: The countys parks and recreation program is funded by two separate, dedicated countywide tax levies at 0.25 mill apiece for capital improvements and maintenance, respectively. The millages are separate from the countys general operating millage. Voters who are unhappy with the way the countys parks and recreation commission is allocating those millage funds can communicate their concerns to county parks commissioners, or vote against those dedicated millages when theyre next put on the ballot. However, its not an option to use dedicated millage funds for a purpose different from that for which the millage was approved." We at the Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark believe that in these hard economic times, it's even more important to have free, public facilities for EVERYONE to use. Skateboarding is a low-cost sport to get in to, can be enjoyed late into life (I've been skateboarding for nearly 30 years). We have thousands of supporters throughout Washtenaw County. If you'd like to help us in our fundraising, please visit http://www.crowdrise.com/a2skatepark Trevor Staples Chair, Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepak

Rod Johnson

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 6:44 a.m.

What happens when a kid (or an adult) injures him/herself playing softball, or rollerblading at Gallup Park, or at the skating rink, or breaks an arm, as my daughter did, at the pool? All these activities create liability exposure--why is skating different? We require kids to wear batting helmets and hockey helmets and to not do crazy stuff on the water slide, with nary a police officer in sight, so why would we need one at the skatepark? We support all kind of other activities that require specialized facilities. I don't see why skating is inherently less worthy of support.

Jon Saalberg

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 6:35 a.m.

To the comment concerning safety: why don't we keep our kids inside and never let them experience the world. They'd be safe, and they would never experience the thrills that life can provide. Really, if you had a kid who is an avid skater (I do) or remember what it is like to be a kid, you'd be thrilled that the city is finally providing a space for skating.

Beth

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 6:27 a.m.

Thank you everyone involved in this. There is no place for kids to do this and no, it isn't a crime but a fun sport. People would complain about the "noise" when the kids would try to do it in my neighborhood. It would drive them inside the house and that is the opposite of what is good for them to do. We are raising a bunch of obese, non-risk takers and it is our fault!! Sorry to generalize, but it is a valid point. Good luck!!

Susan Montgomery

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 5:58 a.m.

Great to see progress is being made. I don't understand why we are willing to support other sports at such high level but have to make skaters feel like lawbreakers for wanting to pursue their sport. The Friends of Ann Arbor Skate Park web page is a2skatepark.org if you want to learn more about skateboarding, or about the Skate Park project.

Steve Hendel

Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 5:55 a.m.

How many people actually attended this meeting?

Matt Cooper

Sun, Apr 25, 2010 : 10:34 p.m.

I'm wondering what happens when a kid falls and injures him/herself at this wonderful new skate park. Who will have to pay the costs for liability insurance? The city? The county? Either way, it will come out of my pocket, and every other citizen of Washtenaw County's pockets in one way or another. Secondly, how do you propose to prevent injuries? Require every child to sign a waiver every time he/she uses the park? Perhaps we will need to get their parents to sign as well, since minors can't enter into any legally binding agreement. Or maybe we pay a police officer to stand at the park entrance all day long to issue citations for kids that don't wear protective gear (and let's not pretend that every kid will be wearing pads, helmet, gloves, etc. every time they step into the skate park). Finally, is a skate park really the best use the county can think of for $400,000? I'll bet if I took one walk for a half hour with any of the county commissioners I could list many, many better uses for nearly a half-million dollars than a skate park. To be clear, I am not opposed to a skate park. I skated periodically myself when I was a kid. But in this economy, with the homeless population we have, and the hunger problem, the people living under bridges and railroad tressels (yes, we have those people right here in Washtenaw county), I think there's a better way to spend that half-million dollars than to build a skate park.

braggslaw

Sun, Apr 25, 2010 : 10:16 p.m.

My kids have been waiting for a skate park for four years. Let's get it done.

Sun, Apr 25, 2010 : 9:37 p.m.

'bout time! My kid was a skater years and years ago... we spent more time trying to get communities to accept that this was a legitimate activity than we did skating... nice to see this happening!