Aurora rolls toward long-awaited skate park

Skaters have been busting out nose stalls, rail stands and ollies at skate parks on Aurora's far east and west sides for years.

Now long-awaited plans for a new skate park in Phillips Park near Montgomery Road and Parker Avenue will put the near east side on the map for those looking to perform those and other sick tricks.

A youth committee formed in 2003 identified a skate park as a priority for that area, but Third Ward Alderman Stephanie Kifowit said the former administration purposefully kept the proposal on the back burner.

Kifowit said the plan is back on the table now and she expects the park to be in place by fall.

"They worked very hard toward this goal and I am excited that we have finally begun the initial stages of bringing the skate park to reality," she said Tuesday. "I think we need this park now more than ever because we don't have good, quality activities and things for the kids to do."

On July 11, Kifowit will meet with skateboarders and other community members to begin the design and layout of the park.

"These kids are the ones who will use the park, and their opinion is very important," she said. "We don't want to miss any aspect that would prevent them from doing all those tricks that I can only dream about."

Costs for the park will be more easily identified after the initial design is finished but the facility will be funded with an Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant from the state's department of natural resources.

Phillips Park was designated as the best location for the skating facility when it was first discussed six years ago and it continues to be the best place on the near east side.

"It's far enough away from residents so we don't have the noise complaints and I think it will compliment the whole synergy of the park really well," she said.

Anyone interested in participating in the meeting, should call Kifowit directly at (630) 306-2888 or e-mail her at SKifowit@aurora-il.org f no later than July 8.