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Escalon council directs feasibility study as park group prepares to build skate-bowl
Summary
After the Esplanade Park Foundation said it raised $125,000 for a 100-by-100-foot skate bowl, the council directed the foundation to cost two Hogan Park site options and asked staff to begin MOU negotiations and ADA/accessibility review; council vote was recorded 3 in favor, 1 opposed, 1 abstention.
Escalon
The Escalon City Council on Monday directed the Esplanade Park Foundation to develop cost estimates for two potential Hogan Park locations for a privately funded skate park and asked city staff to begin framing an MOU that would set roles, insurance and maintenance responsibilities.
What the foundation proposed: Jeff Leggero, president of the Esplanade Park Foundation, told council the group has met a $125,000 fundraising milestone and contracted Dreamland to build a cloverleaf bowl as a standalone phase 1. The bowl design is about 100 by 100 feet; EPF said Dreamland can begin construction in December if a site and approvals are in place.
Council priorities and concerns: Council members emphasized three recurring concerns: visibility and safety (to reduce nuisance or off-hours misuse), pedestrian and ADA access (an accessible path of travel would be required if the feature becomes a public improvement), and cost escalation if sidewalks, restrooms or parking upgrades are needed. Staff noted Main Street Park faces lease and railroad-owner constraints, and that the Hogan Park master plan had originally identified a location now used for overflow parking.
Action taken: The council moved to direct EPF to perform a cost comparison for placing the bowl either at the master-plan location inside Hogan Park (the original site) or on the west end of the overflow parking area, to consult with the chief building official about accessibility requirements, and to have staff concurrently develop MOU deal points (insurance, maintenance, prevailing-wage implications). The motion passed 3'1—1.
Next steps: EPF will return with a cost comparison and the city will prepare draft MOU points for council review. If EPF cannot fund accessibility or ancillary infrastructure after the cost study, council and staff said fundraising or city contribution options will be revisited.
Why it matters: EPF's proposal would add a new recreational asset and respond to long-standing resident interest; the council's direction is intended to balance community benefit with fiscal and legal protections for the city.
Council members closed the discussion by encouraging public participation and increased EPF outreach to speed additional fundraising and to ensure the project meets safety and accessibility requirements.
