Sandusky getting new skate park

SANDUSKY — At times, the work might seem like a grind. But Sandusky officials, city-hired planners and contracted engineers promised to stay motivated in delivering a new, long-awaited skate park for people. During a recent public meeting, city commissioners supported a design process to overhaul the Sandusky Skate Park site abutting Washington Street's pier. It's also located beside Sandusky's police station. "This project will plan and design an update to the Sandusky Skate Park that will create a destination public skate park accessible to users of all wheels, all ages and all skill levels," according to a memo city chief planner Arin Blair sent to commissioners. Blair noted the skate park's original construction occurred around 1999 or 2000 "and is at the end of its useful life." The ramps, railings and other features often get damaged or compromised, putting users at risk of injury. Officials realize the park's popularity, recognized as a popular gathering spot, especially for children and younger people. "This public amenity is well used by residents and visitors of all ages and has a passionate group of supporters advocating for its replacement and revitalization," Blair wrote. Blair answered some additional questions about the upcoming process: Q: What does this design process entail? AB: This is a design process so the final product will include designs we can use to bid the project. The process includes three community meetings: 1. A visioning session to uncover the top requested components of the park and its surrounding area 2. A design review to discuss two design concepts developed by the team and talk about what components and features should make it to the final design 3. A review of the final proposed design for final feedback and edits Note: The meetings have not been scheduled yet. Q: In the past, there have been many discussions about revamping or replacing the current skate park. What makes this design process different than the others with hopes of something actually getting done now? AB: There have been many conversations about the need for a new skate park/action sports park over the past several years. While these were great opportunities to bring the community together and envision a new park, the city did not initiate a design process until we knew park improvements were funded. This design process is based on a budget that we have marked for the construction of a new park. Q: Is there any idea of how much this will cost? And where will the money come from? AB: The city has set aside funding for the new park from stimulus funds. We will also look for grant opportunities and explore ways to increase the budget such as naming rights for private donors. The final design will include detailed cost estimates as part of this project. Note: In 2021, Sandusky's government received a little more than $18 million in American Rescue Plan funds to help recover from the pandemic. The design process does total about $49,500. Q: Is the city leaning toward building a new skate park or rehabbing the existing one? AB: The proposed project defines the study area as the location of the current park. If any larger factors lead us to consider a new location — engineering findings of the site analysis, for example, or critical components of the new desired park that wouldn't work in the current location — we will facilitate a new site selection process with the community. Q: What type of amenities and features could be placed at the new/enhanced skate park? AB: The city recognizes the importance of this park to a broad community of action sports enthusiasts. We will work directly with them, inviting everyone who feels passionate about the new park, to define the list of critical features and amenities. We expect the design will include features for users of all ages, abilities, and skill levels, including functionality and enjoyment for BMX riders, scooters and skateboards. We know site comfort is important, so the design process will include the larger area to plan for seating and gathering spaces, shade and landscaping. Q: When could an enhanced skate park debut? AB: We hope to install the new park in 2023. Q: Do you have any other details you can share with the public on this plan? AB: The design team is led by OHM Advisors to take advantage of their project management, landscape architecture, engineering and recreation expertise. The team includes Spohn Ranch, which specializes in action sports park design. They have completed projects for over 30 years all over the country, including local (projects). The design process will include renderings once we know what the new park is proposed to look like.