Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Skatepark Proposal topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Group pitches $1.2 million oceanfront skate park for Fernandina Beach
Summary
Friends of Fernandina Skate Park presented a phased plan for a new concrete skate park on city land, estimating about $1.2 million for phase one and asking the committee to back a design phase; staff said the City Commission asked to place $90,000 in the FY25 budget for design work.
Friends of Fernandina Skate Park leaders on Tuesday urged the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee to move quickly on a proposed oceanfront skate park that they say would serve all ages and meet competition standards. Mike Nichols, a presenter for the nonprofit, described a two-phase plan that would reuse the existing skate park footprint while building on an adjacent north parcel so the current facility could remain open during construction.
"Our estimate for the new skate park is approximately 1,200,000," Nichols said, calling the figure a rough order-of-magnitude based on recent similar projects. He proposed a phased approach so phase 1 covers new construction on the north parcel and phase 2 would integrate the new features with the existing foundation to reduce later costs. Nichols said the design would use low-maintenance concrete, include turtle-safe lighting and aim to meet sanctioning standards so local skaters would not need to travel to Jacksonville to practice.
Parks and Recreation Director Scott Michaelson told the committee the City Commission directed staff during recent budget workshops to place $90,000 into the proposed FY25 parks budget to fund a design and full construction documents. "This $90,000 will allow us to get a design and provide the community with a design all the way through to construction drawings," Michaelson said. He said staff will work with Friends of Fernandina Skate Park and PRAC, then bring a formal recommendation to the City Commission once the design work is complete.
Supporters emphasized inclusivity and competition standards: the Friends proposed adaptive features for skaters with disabilities and said an improved park could host sanctioned events, making the city a regional destination. The group recommended completing design work by the end of the calendar year and, if funding is secured, breaking ground in late 2025.
