Residents press council to fund phase two of Jim Barnett skate park; commenters cite safety and youth benefit

During public comment on May 26, several Winchester residents pressed the council to fund phase two of the Jim Barnett Park skate park and to provide a realistic budget for construction. Wyatt Volk, who helped bring skate parks to Winchester and Strasburg, told the council the current park is undersized and that volunteers and a skater-owned contractor completed phase one for $87,500 — below national per-square-foot averages — but that leaving phase two unfunded sends "a clear message" that the skate community is not a priority.

"Please see that phase 2 is funded in full as soon as possible," Volk said, urging the council to avoid additional delays that raise costs.

Brad Zirkle, Jonathan Ford and other speakers described the park as a community hub that reduces risky street skating and supports youth safety and inclusion. Several commenters encouraged the council to pursue multiple funding sources — donations, partnerships and grant opportunities — rather than relying solely on the general fund.

Separately, Demetrios Strobakis criticized the council budget for leaving public schools $600,000 short while referencing the regional juvenile detention contract with ICE, which he said brings in $621,000 annually; he framed the contrast as a community-priority question about education versus detention contracts. Councilors did not take immediate action during public comment but acknowledged the speakers and noted parks-and-rec and staff would continue to work on the CIP schedule and budgeting.