Ridge skate park design plan nears completion
September 26, 2007
Article written by Ryan Olson Staff Writer for the Chico Enterprise Record
BACKGROUND: A permanent home for a skate and bike park is planned for the Paradise Community Village. Recently, local youths and other have worked on the park’s layout.
WHAT’S NEW: Tuesday, the council approved lending $7,500 to the Paradise Community Village to finish a master design plan. The plans will be used to seek grants, including one from the Tony Hawk Foundation.
WHAT’S NEXT: In addition to seeking grants, the town is also looking for other ways to pay for the park, which may cost up to $2 million.
PARADISE—Hoping to pursue a prominent grant, the Paradise Town council approved spending the money needed to complete a master design plan for the Paradise Skate and Bike Park.
The council Tuesday approved advancing $7,500 to the Paradise Community Village group to finish the design plan for the skate park. The 24,000-square-foot skate park is one of the features of the planned village complex west of Clark Road.
Town Manager Chuck Rough said officials plan to file an application for a grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation by Thursday, ahead of a Monday deadline. He said the skate park could have greater success at seeking funding if the project receives the grant, up to $25,000. “It, in of itself, is a real credibility enhancer,” Rough said.
Park backers’ face challenges in raising money. Parent Dan Legg said the complex could cost between $1.5 million and $2 million to build.
While Rough introduced the request, councilors displayed renderings of the park’s initial design.
The skate park includes a wide array of structures and skating features, designed in part by local skaters and bikers who attended several design meetings.
The park also includes areas to preserve existing trees and seating around parts of the complex for live events.
Councilwoman Robin Huffman helped organize several of the meeting with local youth. She was pleased with the design and said it would be an attraction to Paradise. The park could also be the site of competitions. “People will come from all over,” Huffman said.
Several councilors were satisfied that the funding for the skate park’s design won’t impact the first phase of the Estes Park project, scheduled to get under way during 2007-08.