Elburn looking for a site for skate park

The most difficult aspect of bringing a skate park to the village of Elburn will be where to put it.

Village leaders Monday discussed possible sites for the highly anticipated park, which would be a course for skateboarders, in-line skaters and BMX bicycles.

Trustee Tom Burgholzer, who spearheaded the project, said he favors a site located on the south side of North Street, across the street from the public works building.

He suggested putting in a bike path, as well as two to three short-term parking spaces.

Other trustees, however, were not sure this site was the ideal location, and suggested looking into others as well.

Other sites discussed were an 8,500-square-foot gravel lot and adjacent parcel on First Street, just north of the railroad tracks; future sites in the proposed Shodeen development near the Metra Station; or the proposed Kirk Homes development at routes 38 and 47.

Burgholzer said the actual equipment for the skate park can be moved to a different location in the future.

"If we ever decide to put it in a different location, a bigger park, everything's moveable," he said.

The desire to bring a skate park to Elburn was brought to Burgholzer's attention after he received a petition signed by more than 100 children within the village.

Village leaders are also anxious to move forward with the project, and would like to see it up and running this summer.

"I'd like to see it go forward," Trustee Patricia Romke said. "I think it's a positive for the community."