TUMWATER PARKS and RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES of MEETING October 16, 2019 Page 1
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TUMWATER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING October 16, 2019 Page 1 CONVENE: 7:03 p.m. PRESENT: Chair Erin Carrier and Commissioners Mike Culley, Bill Kallappa II, and Charlie Schneider. Excused: Commissioners Terry Bullock, Amy Hargrove, and Kelly Von Holtz. Staff: Recreation Manager Todd Anderson, Facilities and Parks Manager Stan Osborn, and Recording Secretary Valerie Gow. CHANGES TO There were no changes to the agenda. AGENDA: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: APRIL 17, 2019: MOTION: Commissioner Schneider moved, seconded by Commissioner Kallappa, to approve the minutes of April 17, 2019 as published. Motion carried unanimously. NEXT MEETING: The next meeting is on November 20, 2019. PUBLIC Alex Rossiter, 917 Miller Street SW, Tumwater, said he is President COMMENTS: of a mountainboarding club in Tumwater and is speaking on behalf of that club, as well as for the Tumwater Needs a Skateboard Park group. The group supports a skate park in Tumwater and each member would like to help create the park by initiating a conversation with the Commission, participating in the project, and serving as a resource to help facilitate the process. The group’s intent is to have the City of Tumwater construct a skatepark in the City, serve as resources for the project, and serve the community by forming a Tumwater skate team. The group is a collaborative effort by many individuals who plan to serve as a research team, a public relations team, and as a synthesis team to support better results. Members plan to attend future Commission meetings, continue the social media campaign, continue to work on the project, conduct public meetings to build consensus in the community, initiate a public petition process, identify sources of grants and contractors, provide information to the Commission on an ongoing basis, and serve as consultants for the skatepark. With teamwork and guidance from the Commission, the group believes it can make a positive difference in the community. The group can be contacted at [email protected] or on Facebook at Tumwater Needs a Skatepark. Commissioner Kallappa asked whether the group has been formally TUMWATER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING October 16, 2019 Page 2 organized. Mr. Rossiter said members are serving as an ad hoc group to create a skatepark. Chair Carrier asked whether the configuration of the skatepark would be similar to the Yauger skate park in Olympia or whether the park would include design elements specific for mountainboarding. Mr. Rossiter responded that mountainboarding is possible at all skateparks; however, there are some preferences and design details that are preferable to mountainboarders, which could be addressed throughout the process. Mountainboarding and skateboarding are similar uses. Commissioner Culley asked about any preferred location for a park. Mr. Rossiter said some ideas have been shared but no consensus has been attained as to the best location at this time. Commissioner Culley cited parks in Yelm, Lacey, and DuPont and asked whether any of those would be the preferred style. Mr. Rossiter said he prefers the Yelm park. The City of Yelm might be a good resource to contact about trends and the city’s process for developing the park. Commissioner Kallappa said that as a resident of the Tumwater Hill area, the area is popular with skateboarders and he would prefer establishing a park for skateboarders to increase safety for both users and the public. Chair Carrier commented on the Metropolitan Park District process and the plan to create several parks in the near future. A skatepark could potentially be located at the future Trails End Park because the area is larger and would likely have parking availability. However, discussions would need to occur with Director Denney for determining the appropriate location of a skatepark. Mr. Rossiter acknowledged that the future Trails End Park has been suggested as a location in addition to a location behind Tumwater City Hall and the Library. As a member of the Tumwater Historic Preservation Commission, a location within the Historic District would also be a good location for a skatepark. Commissioner Schneider thanked Mr. Rossiter for his service to the community. He agreed it is important for the community to have small businesses to increase the economic vitality of the City. Skateboarding provides a good conduit for encouraging youth and adults to experience the outdoors. He supports a skatepark in the City and noted that any location would need sufficient parking. Patrick Reed, 3620 Central Street SE, Olympia, shared that he worked in a skate shop in west Olympia prior to its closure. He returned to school and is now employed as a physical therapist. As a youth he often TUMWATER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING October 16, 2019 Page 3 skateboarded at Yauger Park, which is nearly 20 years old and is outdated. Currently, there are few parks in the region to accommodate the needs of a growing community. A skatepark in Tumwater would benefit the community. Many companies in the Northwest build skateparks and work with cities and different foundations to determine the configuration and size. He has researched facts and statistics in terms of the benefits of a skatepark in a community. Although, there is an initial cost to install a skatepark, once the park is constructed it offers a venue for anyone of any age to enjoy. Skateboarding is sport that knows no boundaries in terms of gender, ethnic background, or race. All participants are embraced in their quest to learn to skateboard or improve skills. He has contacted several companies and obtained some initial information in the Portland and Seattle areas. Chair Carrier said some information that would be helpful for the Commission is the common space requirements for a park and some examples of price ranges for a park. Mr. Reed cited the Yelm park as a good example. Although the park is compact, it includes different types of terrain. The Yauger park has no lighting, which prevents skateboarding at night. Butch Ayala, 1710 Ridgeway Loop SW, Tumwater, said he is a resident and homeowner in Tumwater. He supports the City building a skatepark. He is 58 years old and actively skates. He skates with many of the other speakers and has assisted in financing three skate camps at Yauger Park to attract the region’s skaters for a day of skating. He was raised in Southern California where surfing and skating was a central focus in his school and after school. In that environment he was able to visit safe places to skate along with visiting many parks and pools enabling him to meet many people who had different backgrounds. Skateboarding offers no politics as it is an opportunity to meet new people and socialize and learn new skills. All skaters encourage other participants while skating. The City accommodates other sports and should consider the sport of skateboarding. Many skaters resort to locations with smooth surfaces that are often not conducive for skateboarding. A skatepark would enable skaters to meet and have an area specific for the sport of skating and other similar sports. Mr. Ayala said he plans to support the group’s effort and will provide PR support by outreaching businesses and other organizations to involve them in the process. Commissioner Schneider asked about any public events or competitions. Mr. Ayala said the group recently completed the third annual Labor Day Skate Jam at Yauger Park. Three jams are planned for 2020 with some sponsorships secured. The Olympian newspaper videoed the jam during the Labor Day weekend. He was the featured speaker on the sport of TUMWATER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING October 16, 2019 Page 4 skateboarding and the goal to expand skateparks in the region. Commissioner Culley commented that he visited a northern community that featured a temporary skatepark at a community center. He asked about any local experience with that type of set-up. Mr. Ayala said when he was stationed at Ft. Lewis, the base offered a similar set-up. The site was okay but a permanent surface is preferable for skateboarders to ensure safety and reduce risks. Commissioner Cully pointed out the option of installing a temporary site as part of a phased plan for constructing a permanent skatepark. Mr. Reed shared additional information on the benefits of a permanent location rather than temporary equipment. Commissioner Culley commented on other competing interests surrounding groups advocating for pickleball courts, a dog park, and a swimming pool. Mr. Ayala responded that skateboarders share parks with BMX bikers and other similar sports. Mr. Killelea, 2637 58th Court SE, Olympia, said he has been skateboarding for 10 years and it has been difficult to locate a park to improve his skill level. He visits Yauger Park and the park in Lacey quite often. Other small towns such as Hoquiam, Washington and McMinnville and Lincoln City in Oregon all have great skateparks. The parks sponsor large contests that attract many skaters. The events support local businesses and create a skating legacy for the community attracting visitors from across the state and country. Kevin Siguencia, 1121 Pine Drop SE, Olympia, said that many parks, such as the one in Lincoln City sponsor many events. Within the skateboard community, many events are featured that attract national skateboarders. Parks offer an opportunity to attract skaters and the skateboard community. Skateboarding promotes good connections between people. Chair Carrier thanked the speakers for sharing information about skateboarding. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION: TUMWATER Recreation Coordinator Irwin updated the Commission on the status of YOUTH PROGRAM the Tumwater Youth Program (TYP). UPDATE: This school year marks the 24th anniversary of the TYP. Three events completed during the current school year include an event at the end of September at Bush Middle School with nearly 300 grade school students TUMWATER PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING October 16, 2019 Page 5 participating.