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Council directs temporary stabilization of skate-park surface, asks staff and Parks & Rec to explore pavers and funding
Summary
After public complaints that decomposed-granite (DG) surfacing at Crane Park’s skate facility made the entrance hazardous for wheeled users, council authorized staff to apply a stabilizer while directing Parks & Recreation and staff to study paver options, volunteer partnerships and cost alternatives.
City staff and the Parks & Recreation Commission reported on a rehabilitation of the Crane Park skate area that replaced weeds and unmanaged landscaping but left decomposed granite (DG) at the park’s heavily used west entrance. Multiple public speakers, including skateboarders and parents, said the current DG mix is unsafe for skateboards, scooters and bicycles when loose.
Deputy City Manager Leah Milton outlined the timeline: irrigation repairs, more drought-tolerant plantings, new trees funded by the skate-park supporters, and a DG picnic pad with a stabilizing sealant purchased by staff. Commissioners and members of the skate community said they either did not see a formal pavers plan or wanted a chance to vet any final surface choice with the skate-park stakeholders.
Public commenters described loose sand and mixed-size rock in the surface that collects at the ramps and poses a slip risk. “This granite… is almost 3 different sizes of granite and salt… It is the worst thing you can have in a skateboard,” one skateboard parent told the council, saying volunteers now bring brooms to keep entrances clear.
Staff presented three options: (1) keep the installed stabilized DG (using a binder/stabilizer to reduce loose material); (2) replace the pad with pavers (estimates from vendors ranged from about $22,000 to $39,000 for prevailing-wage bids; a community-sourced quote of approximately $7,000 was mentioned by volunteers); or (3) keep the current surface and do no additional work. Staff also noted the city has a small number of leftover pavers used in other city projects but not enough material for the full pad.
Council expressed concern about safety and fiscal prudence. Several council members said they favored applying the stabilizer now to reduce immediate risk and then directing Parks & Recreation and staff to return with a process for either a public-private partnership or a city-funded paver installation if the council decides to fund it. Councilmembers asked staff to check available city paver supplies, confirm prevailing-wage cost estimates, and explore volunteer or donation-supported installation options.
Council gave staff direction to proceed with the stabilizer for the DG surface and to work with the Parks & Rec Commission and the skate-park committee on a follow-up recommendation about pavers, volunteer partnerships and funding. No formal financial appropriation was made at the meeting; staff said any unbudgeted work over the city’s threshold would return for council approval.
Ending: Staff will apply a stabilizing sealant to the DG pad promptly, revisit cost and supply options for pavers, and report back with a recommended path (city-funded or public-private) and required appropriation if any.
