Teens push for skateboarding park in Gowanda
by Mary Pankow
If the attendance at Tuesday's public hearing is any indication, skateboarding and rollerblading are big in Gowanda.
All ages were represented and support was strongly in favor of establishing a skateboard park in Gowanda through the use of Community Development Block Grant money.
An annual event, a public hearing is held each year that gives residents the opportunity to suggest possible uses for the $90,000 in grant funding that Gowanda applies for. New sidewalks and Hollywood Theater restoration are just two examples of the many projects that have benefited from the awarded funds.
This year, the youth of the area presented a strong case for prioritizing a skateboard park project as number one on the grant application. A number of those present reiterated the need for "a place to go," saying there's "nothing here" for them and many of their peers just "hang out."
Local teen Tony Hooper was especially enthusiastic over the skateboard park idea and, when a question arose about the need for skateboarders/rollerbladers wearing protective pads and helmets, he noted that those items can be purchased at a nominal cost compared to what the enthusiasts have already spent on their boards and skates. Hooper then suggested providing lockers at the park for kids to store their protective gear in so they aren't prohibited from using the park since safety will be an issue.
Gowanda Village Board Trustee John Dedloff noted that lockers such as those at Darien Lake would be suitable because they are water resistant.
Resident Anna Sage asked a number of technical questions about the proposed park regarding cost, maintenance, size, location and liability and feasibility.
Dedloff fielded her questions - replying initial cost of a skateboard park is in the neighborhood of $100,000. A budget to maintain the park would need to be established and the park would be supervised. The park would measure 50 feet by 100 feet and an exact location had yet to be determined.
Dedloff stated that the Town of Evans experienced no increase in their liability after opening their park; he expects a similar scenario for Gowanda.
As for feasibility, aside from the number of supporters at the meeting, Dedloff noted that an average of 200 youth take advantage of Winter Recreation's rollerskating/rollerblading program, an indication of its popularity.
Regarding the location, Superintendent of Public Works Mike Hutchinson suggested the property on Panther Drive across from the bus garage. Situated on the Village of Gowanda/Town of Perrysburg line, the land is in close proximity to the middle and high schools, whose students are in the age bracket to most likely utilize the park, and parking would pose no problem.
More discussion ensued and Mark Lee, of the Erie County Department of Planning, commented that this project would receive consideration for funding because of its uniqueness and because it would allow individuals from throughout the area to utilize it - no fee could be charged. Lee also found nothing wrong with locating it on Panther Drive.
Trustee Barb Nephew suggested combining the skateboard park with a new play structure at St. John Park.
Lee commented the county is "not receptive to play structures for funding."
Although most discussion focused on the skateboard park, other projects were proposed by audience members.
Pat Kota requested CDBG funds for Architect and Engineering fees for Academy Place, a $7.3 million project to convert the Center Street School building into a senior housing/wellness center/business incubator facility. (Total cost for those fees is $547,000, Kota said, and the CDBG money would help offset those costs.)
Phil Palen suggested using CDBG funding to demolish the old Creekside Restaurant on South Water Street. More parking is needed on that street.
The village board will now take all suggestions under consideration and rank them for the application at the next board meeting, Oct. 28.