2. Skateboard Park Action Plank-,ity of Kalispell
Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997 - Telephone (406)758-7704 Fax (406)758-7755
REPORT: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Mike Baker, Parks and Recreation Director
James H. Patrick, City Manager
SUBJECT: ZOOS Skate Board Park Action Plan
MEETING DATE: July ZS, ZOOS
B ACKGROUND: 4n July 14, ZOOS, the City Council held a public meeting to review and
discuss issues concerning the woodland Skate Park. The meeting was well attended with youth
and adults in support of the skate park. Approximately 35 people spoke during a comment
period that lasted 3 1�2 hours. Upon completion of the public hearing portion of the workshop,
Council determined that necessary actions and recommendations for the skate park need to be
formally addressed at a future council meeting.
The following are suggestions listed by the City Council from skate park supporters.
Form a steering committee of skateboard enthusiasts and concerned citizens to
review skate park operations, administration, and other issues along with looking
into volunteer programs for ambassadors to assist in monitoring the skate park,
establish guidelines for volunteers, and research sponsorships and fundraising.
The committee would make appropriate recommendations to staff and council.
.Amend skateboard regulations to lesson helmet rules. (Age 18 and over
individual choice, age 17 and under mandatory).
® Continue enforcement of all regulations and rules indentified within the
ordinance.
• Establish smoke free zone including pool area.
S Close a portion of the parking area and establish as skateboard warm up area.
• Install speed bumps for traffic calming.
0 Provide additional trash cans.
0 Periodic/temporary closing after extreme cases of abuse/vandalism.
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• Amend skateboard ordinance allowing for enforcement of regulations when signs
are vandalized or removed (as per City Attorney).
• Amend skateboard ordinance to allow skateboards as a means of transportation
throughout the City.
RECOMMENDATION: The Parks Director and the Chief of Police support all
recommendations with the exception of two:
• Amend skateboard regulations to lesson helmet rules. (Age 18 and over
individual choice, age 17 and under mandatory).
Just recently in Columbia Falls, a 35-year-old male was involved in a fatal skate boarding
accident resulting from a head injury. We feel the potential for head injuries without a helmet is
substantially increased. The police department feels there would be extreme confusion and
difficultly in enforcement of this regulation due to many young people not carrying proof of age.
• Close a portion of the parking area and establish as skateboard warm up area.
At this time, we do not feel the establishment of a warm up area in the parking lot is feasible. A
reduction of parking spaces around the pool area will place an additional burden on an already
congested situation. Currently, the parking lot area is not included in the fiscal description of the
skate park to the insurance carrier for liability and coverage purposes. MMIA policy requires
certification of any changes made to our skate park have been done by a design professional that
has provided proof of professional liability insurance.
Respectfully submitted,
i
lea
icha �er
Director of Parks
�ames H. Patrick
City Manager
Report Compiled July 23, 2008
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