The West Bend Park and Recreation Commission spent the bulk of its Nov. 20 meeting debating whether to remove existing skate-park equipment and convert the lot to parking at the request of an adjacent development district.

Parks staff said the development district wants the equipment removed "as soon as possible" and would prefer to lease the lot for district parking, handling permit sales and administration themselves. Staff shared a contractor estimate to crack-seal and repaint the lot at about $5,800 (they rounded that to $6,000 in their budget note) as part of a conversion plan.

Commissioners and community members raised counterpoints about neighborhood use. Several commissioners described conversations with caregivers and parents who said small children and families currently use the skate park and would be disappointed if equipment was removed before a replacement was available. One commissioner said the children use the space regularly and urged the commission to preserve what it can for young users.

Safety and condition concerns also weighed in. Staff and commissioners said several pieces are rusted or misaligned; the pyramid element was singled out as likely needing removal for safety reasons. Staff said older pieces are likely beyond repair and could be recycled.

On finance and management, staff estimated that charging roughly $15 per month per parking stall could produce about $6,300 a year for the lot, money commissioners suggested could bankroll small projects or be saved toward larger efforts. Commissioners discussed options ranging from a short-term MOU or lease to holding the property for future municipal use rather than a sale.

To provide a clearer path forward, one commissioner proposed setting a target decommissioning date of December 2026 to encourage fundraising and completion of a new skate park. Commissioners signaled consensus to set a timetable and asked staff to return with formal recommendations and a plan to present to common council; staff suggested bringing the item back to the commission in September 2026.

Staff reported they are working with a national design firm, GrindLine, on a new skate-park design and will hold a community meeting on Jan. 10 to gather input. Commissioners asked staff to monitor existing equipment closely and remove hazardous elements promptly while preserving removable items (such as Rotary-branded panels) for reuse if requested.