Council approves small skate park project; site to be determined

The Libby City Council voted to approve construction of a small, grant-funded skate park, authorizing the project while leaving final site selection to be determined by staff and the parks committee. The motion to approve the skate-park construction with the site to be determined passed after public comment and council discussion.

Proponents told the council they are pursuing a modest initial footprint—a mini ramp or half-pipe that can be expanded over time—and said grant funding is available to begin the project in the spring. "We're being modest in our planning and realistic," said Jared Phoenix (speaker S3), who has worked with project proponents and described possible sites the group reviewed. Phoenix and others noted examples of incremental expansion in nearby towns and estimated initial build costs far below large regional parks.

Neighbors and nearby business owners raised concerns about locating the park at the site adjacent to the Legion baseball fields and a funeral home. "There is zero room for growth there," said Steve Snackenberg (speaker S8), owner of the adjacent funeral home, citing repeated parking congestion at tournament times and the potential impact on his property. Other residents argued the location would make use of underutilized space and increase daytime activity and informal surveillance.

Council members questioned parking, utility lines running diagonally through some proposed sites, restroom access and expansion plans. Staff noted porta-potties and security were possible mitigations. With those caveats, the council approved the motion and directed staff and the parks committee to continue evaluating suitable locations and logistics.

The council also noted that grant timing prevents final placement until after the start of the next quarter; proponents plan to reapply or finalize details in January. The council said it will return with recommendations on site selection and implementation steps.