STARKVILLE – A new skate park could open at the Sportsplex by the end of the year following aldermen approval of a $120,000 federal grant Tuesday evening.
The funding, administered through the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks’ Recreational Trails Program, would cover 30% of the planned $400,000 park on Lynn Lane.
City Engineer Cody Burnett said he hopes to see construction on the park begin this summer.
“They build these very quickly,” Burnett told The Dispatch following the board’s Friday work session meeting. “So it’s possible, I won’t say for sure, but possible we’ll all be skating by the end of the year.”
The remaining $280,000 needed for the project would come from the city’s 1% and 2% tourism taxes, Burnett said. Approval of the item has been placed on the consent agenda for aldermen to consider during their regular monthly meeting Tuesday at City Hall.
“This is really a chance to create a legacy facility,” Burnett said during the meeting. “… We have never had an accommodation for this use-type in our parks system.”
Burnett said creating the “legacy” park requires about 10,000 square feet to serve a range of ages and experience levels, as well as integrating the park into the walking and biking path along Lynn Lane.
“My thought is kids get out of high school, or if they take the shuttle, stop across town, they can ride the skateboard or the bike right down … and then it peels off into the multi-use path, so it’s really close to the street (and) very community-oriented,” he said. “The second thing I want the facility to do is be designed for all users and age groups … (where) a 6-year-old can learn to skate (and) his mom has got a place to sit and watch him.”
Conceptual plans for the park include shaded areas, through either tree canopies or shade structures, seating connected to the skating area and surrounding green space.
Planned elements also include hubba ledges, manual pads, flat rails, stairs and handrails. Burnett said he would like to see both beginner and advanced elements in the skate park, with either a bowl or halfpipe included in the final designs.
Burnett said the final design will likely differ as the city seeks design-build proposals from specialized firms nationwide, noting there are no Mississippi companies that specialize in skate park design and construction.
“I’m very excited,” Spruill said after the meeting. “It’s one of those things that wasn’t on the higher priority list, but it clearly is desirable … and so I’m very excited that it’s next on our list of assets to put in the ground.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
