Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Skateboarders, volunteers urge council to repair and preserve Crossings Park skate park
Summary
Youth and volunteers urged the council during public comment to fix and redesign the dilapidated Crossings Park skate park, arguing a safe, dedicated facility reduces risk and supports youth programs; the town manager and Island Rec said renovations and a separate pickleball complex are planned and community input will be sought.
Speakers at the Feb. 10 public-comment period urged Hilton Head Island officials to prioritize repairs and a redesign of the Crossings Park skate park to serve youth programming and reduce unsafe skating on private property.
“Skateboarding is now an Olympic sport,” said Maxie Hicks, who described skateboarding as a lifelong passion and urged council to provide a well‑designed park that is “an investment in youth, health, and community pride.” Young speakers said the existing park is dilapidated, that skateboarding offers an accessible, low‑cost outlet, and that after‑school programs keep kids engaged and safe.
Gage Malphurs and Abby Caparussio, who said she volunteers with the Island Rec after‑school skateboard program, described the park’s role in mentorship and recommended keeping the skate park on site while revisiting designs to be budget friendly. Petition signatures were offered to the clerk during the comment period.
Town manager Orlando and council members responded that pickleball construction planned on a different site is separate from the Crossings Park skate-park renovation proposal. Orlando said the town will propose funding for a full phase of Crossings Park in the FY27 capital-improvement plan and that the skate-park redo and an added pump track are part of that proposal. Officials said they will share the design and solicit community input before moving forward.
The exchange during public comment included requests for clearer timelines and for an ombudsman or contact for community members who want to follow construction and permitting; town staff said they would provide additional information as designs and budgets are finalized.
