Skatepark proposal presented

(10/12) At its October 11 meeting, the Woodsboro Town Council gave the go ahead for a proposed skatepark to move forward.

With a community that provides disc golf, baseball, sports fields, playgrounds, a fishing pond, and more, skating enthusiasts now look to heighten park aspects even further with the inclusion of a potential skatepark.

Resident Ben Marshall presented an overview of a potential skatepark project, pointing out that there are none of its kind in the immediate area, the closest being in Thurmont and Hagerstown, which are usually crowded. "It would be really nice to walk through town, across the street to our local park if we get this built," Marshall said.

Upon speaking with the Thurmont Skatepark Committee, Marshall found costs for the 50 x 80 foot Skateway to the Mountains totaled $80,000 which included grind rail metal and concrete, as well as donations of lighting and benches.

Marshall looks to develop Woodsboro park as a bigger size of 80 x 100 feet to give skaters ample room, as well as see Woodsboro’s park made accessible for BMX bikes, which Thurmont’s does not allow.

Rough estimate costs place the proposed park around $120,000, not including lighting or benches.

Concrete is not a cheap option but has longevity with no short-term maintenance requirements, Marshall said. The proposed park is eyed to be located at the corner of the entrance of Woodsboro Park.

Advice will continue to be sought from Thurmont Skate Committee in regard to donations, Marshall said. Members of the community spoke in favor of the skatepark as well, stating even more enthusiasm will come out of the woodwork as it moves forward. Skaters and rollers often travel to different parks in the area and the park has great potential to bring in enthusiasts to other aspects of the town as well.

Burgess Heath Barnes voiced in favor of the skatepark but noted that there a lot of moving parts to the project, particularly the current jumble of elected Annapolis officials and the uncertainty of grant funding moving forward.

The town has never applied for funding that large, Commissioner Dana Crum said, and will explore alternative funding options as well.

"I’m excited, I like the idea," Barnes said.

Although the town will not be eligible to apply for Program Open Space (POS) funding until the Spring, skatepark enthusiasts were encouraged to begin raising money and spreading awareness.

Skateparks are continually growing in community popularity, with Thurmont Skatepark just celebrating its one-year anniversary and is highly successful, regularly welcoming skaters of all types, skills, and ages. The Town of Walkersville has been discussing its own skatepark as well.