Grant paves way for Seaside skate park

Published 5:00 pm Sunday, August 27, 2006

SEASIDE – Seaside has just received $187,500 for a new skate park as a grant from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

“We probably got it because we showed true need and true support,” Mayor Don Larson said.

The skate park will be located in Broadway Park next to the swimming pool. Public Works Director Neal Wallace said construction may start by mid-September. Some site preparation work has begun.

The skate park may cost $370,000 or more. The Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District recently took charge of the project, because it can more easily accept donations and volunteers than the city.

Other funding that has been acquired is from Sunset Park’s budget, the city of Seaside, fundraising and a $10,000 Oregon Community Foundation grant.

Wallace said Seaside was ranked second out of more than 30 grant applicants. Support from the city, schools, police, Sunset Park and the community as a whole was invaluable, he said. “It’s the type of thing that granting agencies like to see.”

He said Seaside’s parks master plan, plan for Broadway Park and design for the skate park helped. “A lot of people put in a lot of time and effort,” Wallace said. “It was pretty easy to show how well the nuts and bolts fit together.”

Wallace said another factor was the well-known reputation of Stefan Hauser, the designer who will build the skate park.

Police Chief Bob Gross went to Salem with skaters and city and Sunset Park staff in order to speak in favor of the skate park. He said he has been involved with skate parks built in several communities, but this is the first time the police were asked for advice on security issues.

Gross is happy that “kids of all ages” will have a place to skate legally, as opposed to skating on other people’s property and city sidewalks and streets.

State Rep. Deborah Boone also spoke in favor.

A skate competition that will raise money for the park will be held at 11 a.m. Sept. 2 at the temporary park in Broadway Park. Calendars featuring pictures of the moves of young skaters are now available at the pool at 1140 Broadway and cost $10.

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