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Residents and skaters urge council to fund Phase 2 of Jim Barnett Park skate park
Summary
Multiple public commenters told the Winchester City Council during public comment that the new skate facility at Jim Barnett Park is undersized and needs Phase 2 funding; speakers cited construction-cost realities and volunteer contributions to the initial build.
Winchester — During the public-comment portion of the Winchester City Council meeting on May 26 several residents and skate-community representatives urged the council to fund Phase 2 of the Jim Barnett Park skate park, saying the current facility is undersized and that earlier volunteer labor and local fundraising closed a funding gap for Phase 1.
Wyatt Ball, who said he helped bring skate parks to Winchester and Strasburg, told the council the current 3,600-square-foot park was completed with intensive volunteer effort and local support but that the site needs expansion to function safely and to accommodate different skill levels. Ball said a realistic per-square-foot estimate for concrete work is $50–$75 and urged the council to fund Phase 2 “as soon as possible.”
Brad Zirkle said a larger park would be a public good comparable to ballfields and music venues, offering training space and a safer alternative to street skating. Others — including community members who said they had skated in many cities — described the park as a vital community hub that needs more features, bowls and room to reduce overcrowding.
Several speakers framed their appeals as investments in youth, safety and community programming; councilors thanked the speakers and acknowledged the need to find funding in future budgets or CIP schedules.
What happens next: Staff told the council the skate-park project was placed in the FY 2028 CIP; commenters asked the council to revisit funding sooner.
