Speakers press board on park project follow‑through and request skate features in master plan
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Summary
During public comment, several residents and nonprofit representatives urged the Parks Board to finish long‑promised preserve projects, improve transparency on South and North Mountain spending, and add small, low‑cost skate features in neighborhood parks as part of the parks master plan update.
Multiple public commenters on Thursday told the Parks Board they are concerned about project follow‑through and requested smaller, equitable skate features be included in the parks master plan update.
A speaker identified as Jess criticized perceived delays and spending on South Mountain projects and said North Mountain has not received promised updates. “Why is the completed project getting new attention while South Mountain and North Mountain are both being left completely in the dust?” Jess asked during public comment. Tim Serkowsky and another commenter pressed staff for financial records related to South Mountain project spending.
Attorneys and advocates raised concerns about unannounced construction in preserve areas. A commenter said attorneys had submitted public‑records requests for contracting and permitting documents for work at a preserve site and said those records had not been provided. The speaker said attorneys are evaluating legal options.
Separately, a cluster of speakers representing Cowtown Skate nonprofit, Skate After School and other community members urged the board to add small, inexpensive skate features — ledges, rails and low elements — to neighborhood parks. Charles Darr of Cowtown Skate said portable activations the group runs show demand and community benefit. “Skate spots typically unsanctioned are the community hubs within skateboarding and we should provide legal hubs in every neighborhood,” Darr said.
Scott McPherson and Trent Martin described cost savings from replacing underused turf with hardscape and small skate elements and said adding shaded ramadas and rental opportunities could offset costs. Tim Ward, who runs Skate After School, said small, modular features make skateboarding accessible and could be included in the master plan instead of focusing exclusively on large, expensive skate parks.
A telephone commenter, Julia Taggart, asked the board to provide updates and visit the North Mountain Visitor Center and highlighted volunteer contributions to that site. Board members acknowledged the comments; staff and board said they were listening but did not take formal action during the meeting.
