While many teenagers simply read about civics
in textbooks, the Hendersonville Kids Alliance to Skate lived
the subject.
The teens lobbied City Hall. They collected petition
signatures. They pushed their cause in radio and newspaper
interviews.
A year after the work began, the teens are learning it will
soon pay off.
The City Council has decided to back the teens' effort to
bring a skate plaza to Hendersonville.
"I'm really excited about it," said Alliance member Zac
Cawthorn, 16. "It took a lot longer than we thought it would
in the beginning, but they were much more supportive than we
thought they would be and we're really thankful."
The City Council made a commitment to help cover the cost of
the project last Thursday. The city will also hire a firm to
design and build the skate plaza.
Early estimates put the cost of the project around $300,000.
The teens hope to raise $100,000 in donations and another
$100,000 through grants. They are looking to the city for the
remaining $100,000.
The city pledged to help, on the condition the skaters
continue to raise money as the project moves forward.
"I think this is a small contribution to something that is
very much needed, and I think is going to be very widely
used," said Mayor Greg Newman. "I think this is a good use of
money for us."
Skate plazas look like traditional downtown plazas, complete
with planter boxes, trees and ornamental landscaping. But the
ramps, curbs, rails and stairs are made for skateboarding and
in-line skating. Gaps are closer together. Stairs are shorter
and steeper.
The Alliance says the plaza would provide a safe and legal
alternative to skating on downtown sidewalks. City ordinances
prohibit skateboarding on "any street, roadway, sidewalk or
public area except in areas designated by the city."
City leaders designated Patton Park off Asheville Highway as
the site for the skate plaza. Skaters and city leaders say the
park is an ideal location. It has space, plus amenities such
as restrooms, lighting and parking.
"We're just excited," said Mike Gilliam, whose son, Jordan,
skates. "We're really excited for the kids and the community,
and we're really thankful to the City Council, the mayor and
(City Manager) Chris Carter's lead on this."
A groundbreaking could be held soon as July, Gilliam said.
For more information on the Alliance's efforts, visit
www.skatehendersonville.com
Published
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
City Council OKs skate park
By Scott Parrott
City Council OKs skate park
By Scott Parrott
Times-News Staff Writer
Justin Kuxhouse goes airborne with his
skateboard at a parking lot on South Main Street.
MIKE DIRKS / TIMES-NEWS
Click here to enlarge.
Buy a copy of this picture.
MIKE DIRKS / TIMES-NEWS
Click here to enlarge.
Buy a copy of this picture.
Related content
Hendersonville Skate Plaza
• Location: Patton
Park
• Estimated Cost: $300,000
• Groundbreaking: Soon as July
• Skate plazas look like traditional downtown plazas,
complete with planter boxes, trees and ornamental
landscaping.
But the ramps, curbs, rails and stairs are made for
skateboarding and in-line skating.
Gaps are closer together. Stairs are shorter and steeper.
