Panel: Need site for skate park
By LARRY SHIELDSSALEM - After volunteering to act as liaison to the Salem Skateboard and BMX Association, parks commissioners formally designated Commissioner John Panezott to the position on Wednesday.
The action followed heated opening remarks by Bill Hannay, head of the association, directed at Panezott.
The association has been trying to find a location for skateboard park and acquired $10,000 in state funding that requires a public venue.
Hannay was looking for public support that could lead to additional money for a park that could cost between $60,000 and $70,000.
Panezott, intent on bringing the issue to some sort of resolution, said he had traveled to state parks and planned to visit others, but insisted "people have told me 'we don't want it in our existing parks.'"
He also suggested that if existing park property was unavailable, other property could be located, purchased and designated as park property to facilitate the skateboard park and obtain more grant money.
Panezott, an East Eighth Street resident, lived next to the first skateboard park in Waterworth Memorial Park and understood the problems it caused. He said he promoted it and even picked up trash at night, but police asked that be be "dissolved."
He said it generated 26 police reports, one of which he was the complainant on.
He volunteered to "take it upon myself and work with Steve Faber (parks director)" in the renewed effort.
Hannay asked about a recommendation that Mayor Jerry Wolford said he would make after he attended a meeting last spring and obtained booklet plans for the park.
Mark Hannay, Bill's son, said, "And he still has the book."
Bill Hannay added, "We're still waiting to hear the recommendation."
Commission President Ken Schrom pointed out that the Alliance skateboard park, something of a model for Salem's, took two to three years and received a "good deal on the equipment."
He also noted a lot of civic backing pushed the project.
Hannay said his association wanted to do the same thing, and Mark Hannay said, "The parks dragging its feet doesn't help."
Schrom picked up on finding new land and designating it as park property.
"You hit it on the head," Panezott said and Bill Hannay noted that Wolford said he would designate the property as the parks.
Hannay then suggested property on East 12th Street by the Salem Community Center explaining it was flat, across the drive, close to parking and the "least of the worries would be people observing."
Panezott pointed out the area was going to be a soccer field and Councilman Clyde Brown wondered if there weren't enough of those, and Hannay insisted the area would be ideal while Mark Hannay said it had plenty of parking.
Panezott wanted to look around for more options, adding, "Let's put this to rest."
Bill Hannay said, "I'm looking at it from the standpoint - let's not lose that $10,000" and Brown said, "I think if people see we're supporting this they will come up with funds."
Hannay said the Salem Community Foundation would look favorably at the project and Schrom asked if he knew that and Hannay said he already talked to members.
Mark Hannay said assurances had to be made public that it will be built and maintained with private funds.
"The only thing the park provides is location," he said.
Park's Foreman Jim Grimm commended Bill Hannay and Brown, both senior citizens, on "having the heart" to back the project.
"I think through the parks board and you guys things can happen," Grimm said.
After the meeting, Commissioner Terry Hoopes said dialogue was needed but it had to remain within "our parameters."
Schrom was pleased "they were willing to go somewhere other than the parks...now maybe they're seeing the light (that) it may have to be somewhere other that the parks (existing)...the fact it's somewhere other that the parks, it's still a park's project."
In other business, commissioners approved the purchase of a second 230 Steiner mower after Faber said, "We can make better use of two Steiners."
It also heard a report on a tree removal in Centennial Park near the Swings N' Things that Faber said was reduced to a stump and could be carved into a decorative piece.
"The perceived safety problem is taken care of," he said and commissioner wondered where they could locate a wood carver to turn the stump into a decorative/artistic piece.
Also, commissioners approved placing a Port-A-Jon at the Eagleton's Glen Recreation Area, an undeveloped 70 acres area located six miles south of Salem off Teegarden Road and site of the Teegarden Covered Bridge.
Hoopes moved the commission place one unit there at an annual cost of $741 that included once-a-week servicing.
Faber said the department would be responsible for any damage to the unit.
In other business, Faber also said work is progressing on W.H. Mullins Park where $45,000 of appropriated Community Block Development Grant money from 2007 is being used to revitalize the two-acre park on South Lincoln Avenue.
Formerly known as Cedar Park, the park has a small children's play area with swings, slides, a large sand box and picnic facilities.
The upgrades were "laid out," Faber said, adding some adjustment have been made that will include adding three parking spots and the removal of a crab apple tree.
He said the service department will assist preparing the site for equipment installation after Labor Day.
Grimm said a four-foot by 16-foot graffiti wall on the west side of the maintenance building has attracted users.
"I'm hearing it's not big enough," he said, noting there were some good art work on it which he checks every day. He paints over anything nasty, he said, adding it was a trial.
Commissioners also approved a hot dog cart concession with a 3-0 vote and Faber provided a list of park equipment that will be included in the citywide auction at noon Sept. 24.
"I feel very comfortable with this list," he said after explaining some items place on it that were removed on second thought.
Larry Shields can be reached at lshields@salemnews.net
