Elgin primed for second skate park

If the next Tony Hawk lives in Elgin's east side, he won't have far to go to skate by July.

Elgin city leaders Wednesday are expected to sign off on spending $100,000 for skate ramps, jumps and other obstacles for the city's second skate park, which will be one part of the $1.2 million Prairie Park.

"This is much more than a community park. It's going to upgrade the whole system," said Randy Reopelle, parks and recreation department director, noting the eight-acre site on Willard Avenue, north of Villa Street, also will include two soccer fields, basketball courts and a gazebo.

Some residents might question how the city can afford to spend money on ramps.

The city had layoffs last November and is looking to cut costs just about everywhere, including scrapping the Fourth of July fireworks and reducing some customer service hours.

"The money comes from park impact fees, and that's the only thing they can be used for: improving parks," Reopelle said.

Whenever a new residential development is built, park land or a cash equivalent is donated to the city.

The purchase from the American Ramp Co. will mark one of the final steps in a process that saw the city reach out to skaters in workshops to help them plan the layout of ramps and other obstacles.

At one January workshop, skaters gave suggestions and a designer at the company's Joplin, Mo., headquarters tinkered with the layout using a computer program. Participants were able to watch the park evolve real-time on an overhead projector connected to a laptop.

"I know a number of kids appreciated that because they came up and said thank you after the meeting," recalled Paul Bednar, park development coordinator with the city.

Last summer, volunteers were called upon to help set up ramps at the city's first skate park at Grant School Park, at the corner of Lawrence Avenue and Jackson Street on the near west side.

Bednar said officials will be employing the same strategy this time around at the 11,000-square-foot site and are looking to fill about 100, two-hour shifts. The process will take about five to eight days and save about $10,000 in labor.

"It's more to help the kids buy into it and have ownership in the park even more than saving a few bucks," Bednar said.

Anyone 13 and older may volunteer, but those using power tools must be at least 18. For detail, call (847) 931-6788 or e-mail bednar_p@cityofelgin.org.