by Donna Iadipaolo

Skaters—from Tony Hawk and Andy MacDonald to amateurs— jumped and twirled, food tents served delectables, and those in attendance just enjoyed a glorious start to summer.

THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE attended the official opening of the Ann Arbor Skatepark on June 21, 2014 at Veterans Memorial Park.

Music blared, skaters—from experts like Tony Hawk and Andy MacDonald to amateurs– artfully and athletically jumped and twirled, food tents served delectables, and many people just enjoyed a glorious start to summer.

It was a world-class event, for a world-class skatepark.

“Wally Hollday is the designer of the skatepark. He has been designing skateparks for over 30 years and is regarded as a leader in the industry,” said Colin Smith, Parks and Recreation Services Manager for the City of Ann Arbor. “The size of the skatepark, scope of elements, integration with the existing park, the manner in which it caters to many different skills levels, and the pedigree of the designer will combine to make the skatepark world class.”

But the culmination of such an event and skatepark took much time, effort, and collaboration to come to a reality

“The skatepark is a great example of collaboration amongst numerous government agencies and a grass roots organization to make an identified public need come to fruition,” said Smith, who has served for five years. “Without Trevor Staples, the Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark and project partnerships with the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund, Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office, and the City of Ann Arbor, this project isn’t possible.”

The funding for the project alone, was a huge achievement.

“The total construction contract amount was about 15 percent higher than originally planned as construction bids came back higher than anticipated,” said Smith. “Designer cost estimates are exactly that, estimates––and it is not unheard of for construction bids to come back higher or lower than original estimates.”

According to  Smith, the total project budget is $1,224,311.86, consisting of:

• Construction contract – $1,031,592.60
• Construction contingency—$103,159.26
• Design contract—$89,560.00

The design contract was entirely funded by the Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark through donations.

The construction contract and contingency amount is made up of numerous funding sources:

• $400,000 Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission
• $300,000 State of Michigan DNR Trust Fund Grant
• $80,000 from the Approved Stormwater Fund Capital Budget for rain gardens. This portion of the project will be repaid as a loan to the State Revolving Fund (SRF).  It is anticipated that the City will receive 50% loan forgiveness on this portion of the project due to the water quality improvements in the stormwater system.
• $32,356 from the approved FY2014 Parks Memorial and Contributions Fund, Feldman Trust, for landscaping plantings.
• $30,356 from the approved FY2014 Parks Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage trail for the asphalt walk construction necessary for trail connectivity and barrier free access.
• $22,977 from the approved FY2014 Parks & Recreation Services General Fund operating budget – these funds are the uncommitted Parks fairness funds resulting from budget amendments to the overall FY2014 General Fund budget.
• $10,440 from the Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark.
• $155,463 from uncommitted funds available in the Parks Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage fund balance.

Additionally, up to $103,159 from uncommitted funds available in the Parks Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage fund balance to cover a 10 percent construction contingency. Any portion of the contingency funds that are unexpended at the close of this project will be returned to the Parks Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage fund balance.

According to Smith, all the costs will be well worth it, because the skatepark will improve the use of the skatepark overall.

“For parks to be successful they need to be activated and used,” said Smith. “This (the skatepark) adds another element and activity for park users. Additionally, anything that gets kids outside and active is a good thing. Veterans Memorial Park is what is regarded as a regional park, in that it draws people from all around Ann Arbor and outside of Ann Arbor. The skatepark is in line with this.”

The location of the skatepark is itself an important element.

“Additionally, the park is highly visible and in many ways a gateway into Ann Arbor,” said Smith. “Along with the recent ball field renovations, tennis court renovations, and improvements to the pool area the skatepark will showcase the park and Ann Arbor in a positive, vibrant manner.”

The creators of the skatepark also had many environmental concerns.

“The skatepark is designed with the overall park in mind,” said Smith. “The design meets stormwater requirements and staff worked in conjunction with the Water Resources Commissioners office in this regard. The design breaks up concrete elements with landscaping features and somewhat mimics the existing contours of the site. The grove of trees to the west and north is remaining – the shade it provides is desired by the skaters.”

Many people have asked about the liability issue for the park, covering injuries, and the City seems to have this covered as well.

“The City has liability insurance that covers all City property, including City parks,” said Smith. “This will include the Skatepark in the future. The cost of insurance is not calculated by facility and additional cost for the Skatepark, if any, will not be material.”

Another lingering concern of many has been the possibility of more graffiti, alcohol use, fights, and other mayhem increasing in the park.

“Should alcohol use, fights ‘and other mayhem’ occur the police would be called, just like any other park, staffed or unstaffed,” said Smith. “There is nothing that suggests that this is more likely to occur at a skatepark.”

He added that he does not think graffiti is any more likely either.

“Graffiti is a concern in all our parks, not just the future skatepark,” said Smith. “Everything from trees to empty swimming pools has been tagged with graffiti. An advantage the skatepark has over many sites that are tagged is that it is highly visible and even at night will have some ambient light from nearby roads.” Many people from the community will also be active in the skatepark. “The Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark and the City also have an operating agreement that speaks to volunteers helping with the upkeep of the skatepark, including possibly, graffiti removal,” said Smith.