3. Skateboard Committee UpdateREPORT TO : Mayor Pam Kennedy and Kalispell City Council
FROM: Jennifer Young, Recreation Superintendent
SUBJECT: Skate Board Park
MEETING DATE: May 11, 2009
BACKGROUND:
On October 6, 2008 City Council held a regular meeting and appointed a Skate Board
Park Advisory Committee. The City Council appointed Beverly Boe, William Bowser,
Patrick Brooks, Deb Burfiend, JD Carbin, Mark Delorme, Javier Saenz and two city
employees Jennifer Young, Parks and Recreation Department and Steve Hoover,
Police Department. The Advisory Committee has been meeting monthly since
November 2008 to discuss skate board issues.
In its quest for information the Advisory Committee researched and reviewed other
communities in Montana including; Whitefish, Billings, Missoula, and Great Falls.
While gathering the information the committee came to the conclusion that the City of
Kalispell was the only public skate park in the State that enforces the helmet law. The
rules and regulations of all other communities we contacted: "Use of protective gear is
strongly advised". The minimalistic rules seem to yield a lot less rebellion such as;
trash, vandalism and disrespect to other patrons.
The Advisory Committee conclusion is; we loosen the rules (ticketing for not wearing
helmets) the skateboarders will feel less constrained and will help keep the Skateboard
Park clean, less vandalism and respecting other park patrons.
RECOMMENDATION:
The following recommendations established from the Skateboard Park Advisory
Committee are:
• To provide additional trash cans and move the large containers closer to the
Skateboard Park.
• A proposed amendment to the rules and regulations of the Woodland Skateboard
Park. (Changes or elimination of regulations as follows).
1) "Change the rule and regulation": All participants are strongly
advised to wear the appropriate safety gear: CSA approved
helmets and footwear are strongly recommended. Helmets
should fit properly with straps fastened. Pads, gloves, and
guards are strongly recommended.
2) "Eliminate the rule and regulation": All BMX bikes must be
equipped with protective covering on pegs.
3) "Change the rule and regulation": The Parks and Recreation
Department of the City of Kalispell, Montana reserves the right
to close the Woodland Skate Park for a determined period of
time should any issues at the skate board park become
dangerous to the general public, and or unmanageable by the
Department of Parks and Recreation. Those found inside the
locked fence during periods of closure will be deemed guilty of
criminal trespass.
FISCAL EFFORTS: - Cost of new signs approximately $500. (Funded by Skate Board
Committee efforts).
Res ectfully ubmitted,
,c D
Jennifer Yo0g, Recna-06n 8uh6fintendent MyrtWebb, City Manager
# 10
May 5, 2009
TO: Mayor Pam Kennedy and Kalispell City Council
FROM: Patrick Brooks, Head of Skatepark Advisory Board
RE: Skate Board Park
Mayor Pam Kennedy and Kalispell City Council,
The Skate Board Park Advisory Committee has met on a regular basis since November
2008 in order to seek solutions for the presented issues. We reviewed communities in
Montana and other northwest skateparks throughout the United States. Kalispell is
currently the only skatepark in the state with an enforced helmet law. The general
consensus of the contacted skateparks was that "Protective gear is strongly advised." A
minimalist approach to rules and enforcement seemed to result in less negative behavior
all around.
The Skatepark Advisory Committee has reached the conclusion that if the helmet policy
is revised skateboarders will feel far less constrained and we'll see fewer issues with
vandalism and disrespect to other patrons. This will reduce the strain on local law
enforcement substantially.
The following recommendations are:
• To provide additional trash cans and move the large containers closer to the
Skateboard Park.
• A proposed amendment to the rules and regulations of the Woodland Skateboard
Park. (Changes or elimination of regulations as follows
1) "Change the rule and regulation": All participants are strongly advised
to wear the appropriate safety gear: CSA approved helmets and footwear
are strongly recommended. Helmets should fit properly with straps
fastened. Pads, gloves, and guards are strongly recommended.
2) "Eliminate the rule and regulation": All BMX Bikes must be equipped
with protective covering on pegs
3) "Change the rule and regulation": The Parks and Recreation
Department of the City of Kalispell, Montana reserves the right to close
the Woodland Skate Park for a determined period of time should any
issues at the skateboard park become dangerous to the general public,
and or unmanageable by the Department of Parks and Recreation. Those
found inside the locked fence during periods of closure will be deemed
guilty of criminal trespass.
Sincerely,
Patrick Brooks, Skateboard Park Advisory Committee Head
Cc: Mike Baker, Roger Nassett, Steve Hoover