While Ann Arbor is on the forefront of progressive issues like environmental consciousness and transportation planning, the city is behind the curve when it comes to public skateparks.
That won't last long if a group of Ann Arborites have anything to say about it. The happy band of skaters, parents and supporters are organizing to build a permanent concrete skatepark in Veterans Memorial Park on the city's northwest side. The city is holding a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. today on the idea.
"We're talking a full in-ground, concrete streetscape skatepark," says Jeff Dehring, a park planner with the city of Ann Arbor.
The group, the Ann Arbor Skatepark Committee, says the city is undeserved by not counting a skatepark among its varied recreation options (ranging from tennis courts to Frisbee golf). The group also claims a space dedicated to skateboarders will enhance the city's reputation and help keep kids out of trouble.
The group is so confident that a skatepark is needed that it lists 30 reasons why one should be built on its website. Among the more eye-catching are No. 27 "Skateboarding is happening with or without a skatepark" and No. 30 "If a city doesn't have a skatepark, it is a skatepark."
The meeting will be held in the multipurpose room of Abbott Elementary School, 2670 Sequoia Parkway on the city's far northwest side. For information, contact Dehring at jdehring@a2gov.org or (734) 994-1913.
Source: Jeff Dehring, park planner with the city of Ann Arbor
Writer: Jon Zemke
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