REPORT ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SKATEPARK IN THE POINT ARENA DOWNTOWN PARK.
1. Receive and file report; and
2. Provide direction to City staff regarding designating City park land for construction of a skatepark.
In March 2024, a community meeting was held to promote construction of a skatepark in the downtown Point Arena City park. The meetings were sponsored by Point Arena Parks and Trails, a non-profit organization created by Barbara Burkey on April 13, 2022, in cooperation with American Ramp Company. The meeting notices used the official Point Arena City seal as well as language that seemed to indicate the City of Point Arena partnering with American Ramp Company on these meetings. This caused some confusion among Councilmembers as well as residents as to the official City role. This staff report attempts to clarify the history of building a skatepark in Point Arena as well as the current status of the skatepark.
The City of Point Arena used FY 2002/03 Planning and Technical Assistance General Allocation Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to develop a Park Master Plan for the largely undeveloped downtown Point Arena City park. After carrying out multiple workshops involving input from the community, the Park Master Plan was finalized.
In 2007 as follow-up to the City Park Master Plan, the City Council approved Resolution 2007-05 to submit a grant application to the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant-In-Aid program for $129,000 to fund the proposed skatepark. The grant application was not approved for funding.
Over the next 15 years, skatepark discussions and Council actions ebbed and flowed including the following Council actions:
• From 2009-2015, private community funding-raising collected approximately $9,000, including $1,000 Tony Halk Foundation grant which was eventually rescinded because the scope of work was not completed;
• In 2012, Council approved $9,500 to Gridline Skateparks Inc. to complete a skatepark design at the downtown City park. The plans were never completed. • In August 26, 2014, the City Council appropriate $1,500 from the Skate Park Reserve and $7,820 from General Fund Reserves to fund a Schematic Plan with recommendations on the City’s Parks, Open Spaces, and Trails, including four-phase Plan with an information gathering stage; the development of an initial schematic open space plan for Council and public review;
POINT ARENA CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
AGENDA ITEM: VIII.A
MEETING DATE: 11/12/2024
ANALYSIS
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the development of draft goals and grant recommendations; and the development and presentation of the final Plan. Plans were never completed. • In September 2018, the City received a petition signed by 143 people from Point Arena and the surrounding area that requested the City use the Skatepark Reserve Fund of $8,300 to seek grant and other funding to complete the City skatepark.
In this current rendition of the skatepark development, Mayor Burkey indicates that the non-profit Point Arena Parks and Trails will spearhead fundraising for construction the project, estimated at $500,000. The skatepark itself will be located in the downtown City park. To date, the City Council has not taken formal action to specifically approve a skatepark on City property, except to adopt a Park Master Plan in 2002. While this Plan included a skatepark, it is now over twenty years old and may no longer meet the needs and desires of the community. Current City Council discussion is necessary to determine whether further discussions and staff work is necessary to bring this project to fruition.
City staff needs City Council direction on the following questions:
• Does the City still support building a skatepark in the downtown City park? • Should the City formally take action to designate City property for a future skatepark, given that the Point Arena Parks and Trails fundraising is contingent on Council approval to use park land?
• Considering limited City staffing and financial resources, should City staff work with Point Arena Parks and Trails to promote and more fully develop the skatepark concept? Or are there other City priorities at this time?
If City Council directs staff to work on the skatepark with Point Arena Parks and Trails, staff time will be charged to the remaining funds of $8,300.
None
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Peggy Ducey, Interim City Manager
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