City Council candidates chime in on Ann Arbor Skatepark project
With a handful of City Council members defending their seats in Tuesday's Democratic primary, the Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark asked the incumbents and challengers where they stand on the plan to build a skate park at Veterans Memorial Park.
City officials have maintained for the last two years that they're willing to donate city park land for the amenity, but they say the city's not in a position to provide direct cash assistance.
The answers varied.
Council Member Sabra Briere, D-1st Ward, who is running unopposed, said she doesn't believe such support is justified at a time when funds available for maintenance of existing city park facilities are already too few.
Council Member Stephen Rapundalo, D-2nd Ward, said any determination for a financial contribution by the city should first be discussed at the Park Advisory Commission following broad public input and a consideration of recreational and budget priorities.
Tim Hull, who is challenging Rapundalo, said his actions on council would depend on availability of funding and grants.
Council Member Stephen Kunselman, D-3rd Ward, said he would continue to search for ways that the city, as well as the state, could contribute financially.
Ingrid Ault, who is challenging Kunselman, said "every funding entity needs to participate in the process" and she'd do what she could to see that the project comes to fruition.
Marwan Issa, another 3rd Ward challenger, said if the city finds there is a need for it and there are clear community benefits, it shouldn’t be a problem to fund the skate park.
Council Member Mike Anglin, D-5th Ward, didn't respond. And his challenger, Neal Elyakin, didn't directly address the question of city funding but expressed support for the project.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's e-mail newsletters.
Comments
Veracity
Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 1:45 p.m.
Part Three (conclusion) In regards to proper supervision for the use of the skateboard park attention should be directed towards establishing hours of usage. Since the skateboard park will be used mostly by minors the hours of operation should exclude the time when students should be at school. Therefore, during the regular school days I suggest that park operational hours be limited to 4 pm-to-8 pm or dusk (whichever comes first). On weekend, holidays and during school recesses for the spring and summer, skateboard usage hours can be more liberal, possibly 10 am-to-8 pm or dusk (whichever comes first). The skateboard park should probably be closed from December through March because of cold and wet weather and whenever the weather is inclement. In order to assure safety practices at the skateboard park and to monitor use by appropriate youths, personnel should be hired selectively as supervisors. Those hired should have no criminal record and agree to not smoke, not drink alcohol and not use drugs while on duty (since they need to remain alert and may be viewed as role models). Prior experience with skateboarding may be useful. Several individuals should be hired and probably on part-time basis since weekly hours of supervision will vary from 40 hours to 70 hours. Each supervisor will probably work 20-to-40 hours a week for eight months of the year when the skateboard park is open. Having several employees will allow backup for illness or other exigencies and for turn-over. I do not know what wage will be appropriate for the park supervisor positions. Besides the $1 million needed to construct the concrete skateboard park, how will supervisor salaries, maintenance costs and liability insurance (if available) be financed?
Veracity
Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 1:44 p.m.
Part Two (continued) Regarding the overall risks of injury from skateboarding, please read the following position paper about skateboarding produced by the American Academy of Orthopedics and which is found at the following URL site: <a href="http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00273" rel='nofollow'>http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00273</a> The article tells you that skateboarding injuries cause about 50,000 visits to emergency departments and 1500 children and adolescents to be hospitalized. (Source: AAP, March 2002. ) In order to avoid injuries, the article suggests children under age 5 years old should never ride a skateboard. Furthermore, children aged 6 to 10 years old need close supervision from an adult or trustworthy adolescent whenever they ride a skateboard. The article reviews safety gear that should be worn including fitted helmets, wrist guards, knee and elbow pads, and shoes.
Veracity
Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 1:41 p.m.
Part One Building a $1 million skateboard park for the use of less than 500 youths ages 13 -17 (per 2004 survey) is wasteful. The inability of the Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark to raise the money on its own attests to the paucity of interest. But the construction of a skateboard park presents other issues and concerns, as follows: One concern is that skateboarders who do not live within walking distance of Veterans Park will have to drive (if they are licensed) or many who do not drive will have to use buses or other alternative transportation to get to the skateboard park. Even youths who would like to use the skateboard park may find it inconvenient to visit frequently. The number of skateboarders who actually use the skateboard park may be less than will justify the expense of building and maintaining it. I doubt that any other location will be any better if the homes of skateboarders are dispersed throughout the community. No effort has been expended yet to identify all potential skateboard park users and where they live. For safety reasons I would expect that the park will have to be fenced in and have a lockable gate. The skateboard park should not be open for use when not attended by a supervisor. Supervision is required in order to guarantee civility among participants, to discourage highly risky skateboarding behavior, to prevent drug/alcohol use and sales, to assure use of proper safety equipment and to prevent child abuse and abduction. An unsupervised park could leave the City open for liability if injuries or other mishaps occur among users, especially with unattended minors. By the way, will parental attendance be required for youths under a age 10 as recommended? If so, a supervisor will be required to enforce the rule.
Steve Hendel
Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 11:40 a.m.
Well, it was bound to happen; having apparently failed to raise, from private sources, anywhere near the amount of financial support they said they could, the skatepark advocates are now looking to the City to cover their shortfall. What does my Council member (Anglin) have to say about the issue ? "When built the park will attract all ages and abilities and thereby provide inter age communication and interaction." Mr Anglin, have you ever been to a skatepark or even observed skateboarders on the street? This is not a scientific study, but it appears to me that the overwhelming majority of actual skateboarders are young men.
Tom Whitaker
Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 2:11 a.m.
A perfect location for the skate park would be in Fuller Park, on the south side of Fuller Road at Maiden Lane.
Harry Callahan
Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 12:25 a.m.
Regardless of the cost to build council needs to be concerned with maintenance and upkeep. If over time use dwindles, any revenue it might bring in (?) may not be enough to fund repairs, etc. I would hate to see something built that decays and ends up with the city having to pay for removal, repair and upkeep.
Candis Hale
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 11:43 p.m.
Dude really can we just build the skate park...? Us teens have nothing to do with no more skate places besides in Brighton and Ypsi and we feel that the Ypsi skate rink is not so safe. I would love to say that I believe teenagers would get in less trouble with something productive to do. Many of my friends get in trouble for skating places that they aren't suppose to, but that is because they are rebelling because we need a skate park.
deb
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 7:16 p.m.
sounds like money better spent then on art for the new city courts building or the water fountain out front. At least people can use a skatepark
Sparty
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 6:48 p.m.
How about funding public safety and funding arts and culture in about 20 years? The budget needs to reflect the current economic crisis and I don't think a skate park should outweigh police, fire, energy improvement, infrastructure, road improvements (despite the council thinking our roads are in great shape .... hello, have they been out on any of them?), rainy day funds, education, or just paying down accumulated debt - a novel idea, etc. It is unbelievable to me that this topic is even being discussed let alone that candidates and sitting council members indicate support for funding. It doesn't matter if they are proposing seeking grants or outside funding -- the money is coming from somewhere and could be better utilized on projects that create higher value.
Ricebrnr
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 6:15 p.m.
is it me or was there only one actual yes/no response from these "politicians"?
DonBee
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 5:57 p.m.
I am in favor of a privately built skate park, so long as private money can maintain it as well, and the city and county do not pick up liability for any injuries. Given the lay off in police and fire fighters, I think public money is better spent on public safety first.
mike anglin
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 5:29 p.m.
Mike Anglin I have been a supporter of the skatepark since the idea began. I have watched the evolution thru the process and have attended several meetings and have made donations to the effort. The skate boarders are a unique class of athlete since it is a sport that does not define by age or ability; all are welcome based on their interest in the sport. I believe that sports play an important part in the life of all young persons who are able to participate. This sport is open to all. When built the park will attract all ages and abilities and thereby provide inter age communication and interaction. As you know the park needs more money to be built . The County's committment of $400,000.00 is a good start but it needs money now so please join me in making a donation...for a great cause , our youth. Mike Anglin
Marvin Face
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 7:41 p.m.
I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name.
Ryan J. Stanton
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 3:22 p.m.
For those interested, the Chronicle has a link to another survey by the Arts Alliance that asked the candidates: What is your position on public funding for arts and culture? <a href="http://annarborchronicle.com/2011/08/01/a2-city-council-races-2/" rel='nofollow'>http://annarborchronicle.com/2011/08/01/a2-city-council-races-2/</a>