More than 100 young people, parents and concerned citizens jam-packed the Oxford Village Council chambers Monday night to voice their virtually unanimous support for building a skate park.
A sea of young faces and a standing-room-only crowd lined up out the door greeted the village parks and recreation committee, which was seeking to gauge public interest in the possibility of building a ramp park within Scripter Park for skateboarding, inline skating and freestyle biking enthusiasts.
“I think it would be cool if we had a skate park. It would be fun. It’s a good idea,” said Hans Preston Austermann, a young skateboarder who described himself as a “proud citizen of Oxford.”
“I’m all for it,” said village Police Chief Mike Neymanowski.
The community’s top cop called a skate park “long overdue” and “a step in the right direction” for the “overlooked” 10 to 16-year-olds in the community.
Neymanowski noted a skate park would help “alleviate the problem” of young people skating and biking in places they shouldn’t such as private and commercial property, municipal parking lots, etc.
Michelle Kiracote mother of a 12-year-old skater, said her family moved from the city, where there was “oodles” of activities for kids, to Oxford, where there’s “absolutely nothing for them to do.”
She said her son has been in “more trouble the last four months” that she cares to say because there’s nothing for him to do around here.
Kiracote expressed “100 percent” support for a skate park and offered to volunteer her time to make it happen.
Instead of driving her 15-year-old biker son to skate parks in Roseville and Waterford on a weekly basis, Oxford resident Teddi Bradford told the committee she wants something closer to home.
“There’s such a need here,” Bradford said. “It would be utilized like crazy.”
Some audience members volunteered their various talents and skills to a skate park’s construction.
Oxford resident Chris Murray, owner of Murry Excavating, stated he’s willing to help out with the grating and footings and contribute some of his earth-moving machines to the project.
Oxford resident Andrew Lantz, who’s been a program director for the Boys and Girls Club for eight years, volunteered his grant writing abilities.
“Whatever’s needed, I’m there,” said Pontiac resident Richard John, who’s employed in the Glaspie industrial district where Scripter Park’s located.
John said he’s been skateboarding for 20 years and it’s “not a fad, it’s a lifestyle.”
Despite the tons of support voiced for building a skate park, some concerns and questions were raised.
Oxford resident Merle Smith raised the issues of liability to the village, park maintenance and cost to the taxpayers.
Parks and Recreation Committee member Steve Allen, who also serves as village president, told Smith the municipality’s insurance company has indicated a skate park “doesn’t increase or decrease” liability nor would it increase the village’s premiums.
Park maintenance is an issue that would have to be worked out, according to Allen.
As for the use of tax dollars, Allen said, “If we can do this correctly, we might be able to build it at no cost to the taxpayers.”
He cited the Kids Kingdom playground as an example of a project accomplished entirely through private donations and corporate sponsors.
Allen got the donation ball rolling by issuing a challenge – “I’ll match the first $500 somebody raises to do this.”
Oxford resident Carol Carr stated her belief that a skate park should be supervised.
Manager Mark Slown advised against having supervision because it would require a “permanent funding source” which would be “very difficult” given the village’s “limited budget.”
Having supervision would also “increase” the village’s liability because the municipality is then taking responsibility for what’s going on at the park, Slown explained.
As it stands now, the proposed skate park would be a “use at your own risk” facility, where the users “take full responsibility,” according to Slown.
Carr also asked if helmets would be required at the skate park.
Slown said there could be signage recommending the use of safety attire.
A young man in the audience stated his belief that helmets should be required, but knee and elbow pads should be optional.
Some audience members suggested there be a minimum age requirement to use the skate park. Concerns were expressed over “little kids,” who lack experience and skill, being injured and “getting in the way.”
Creating a separate “kiddie” area or beginner’s section was also suggested.
Others said if small children use the park, it’s the responsibility of their parents and the older users to watch out for them.
Mary Garcia, a village resident, expressed her concern that there’s currently “not enough” parking at Scripter Park and adding a skate park will only worsen the problem.
Some audience members responded that most parents would drop their kids off and leave, so they wouldn’t be parking there.
But Garcia pointed out that a lot of high school kids who will use the skate park will more than likely drive and park there.
The consequences of having both skateboarders and bikers using the same park was another concern expressed at the meeting.
Some audience members were divided as to whether allowing bikes to ride in the same park damages the surface for skateboarders.
Others were concerned about the possbility of conflicts arising between the two groups.
Segregating the park into designated biking and skating areas was suggested as was the idea of separate times and days for the two activities.
“We should all just get along,” exclaimed one young man in the audience.
One woman in the audience reminded everyone not to forget about inline skaters, the third group that would use such a park.
Evan Gargano, a young biker, suggested calling the proposed facility a “ramp park” as opposed to a skate park because it won’t be for skateboarders only.
Allen noted a “large number” of skate parks don’t allow bikes and he doesn’t believe that’s fair. As a public facility, he said Oxford’s future skate park needs to serve everyone.
A majority of those who spoke at the meeting favored building the skate park out of concrete as opposed to pre-fabricated materials.
Scott Ward, of Clarkston, has been skating since 1974 and recommended concrete because its allows for a “more varied terrain,” which in turn “allows young skaters to grow” in their skill level.
Ward showed the parks and rec. committee photos of “world class” skate parks from around the country that were constructed using concrete.
It was also argued that concrete is stronger and more durable than pre-fabricated materials, which can deteriorate quicker.
One young man asked who will design the skate park, to which Allen replied, “You will.”
Allen said the kids who will use the facility will have input regarding its design just like with Kids Kingdom.
After listening to the public’s input for more than an hour, the parks and recreation committee voted to create a subcomittee to work on the skate park issue.
The subcommittee is co-chaired by Addison resident Levy Gealy, Oxford Township resident Cheri Wartsler and Rochester Hills resident John Fons.
Gealy works for Main Street Bicycles in downtown Oxford and is a biker.
Wartsler is the mother of a skateboarder. “I think we need this,” she said. “If people don’t volunteer, it’s not going to happen.”
Fons is also employed with Main Street Bicycles and enjoys skateboarding.
The skate park subcommittee will meet the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. in the large meeting room across from the village council chambers.
However, the subcommittee’s first meeting will be 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8.