Parents say a cheaper park is possible

By Sarah Wilson, Lebanon Express writer

Since the first attempt in late 1996, several community activists have tried to provide Lebanon skateboarders with a park they could call their own, but a skatepark has yet to be constructed.

The most recent of the skatepark efforts was that of Judy Phillips. Inspired by her two grandchildren, Phillips began her venture more than two years ago.

Phillips chairs Recreation for Kids and Community. This non-profit Lebanon organization planned to build a skatepark on Harrison Street (the Old Santiam School site), on land donated by the city. An estimated $600,000 was needed to build the 25,000 square-foot skatepark, with a 6,000 square-foot section under cover of a roof.

The estimated cost included an additional 2,000 square-foot "skate spot" the committee planned to build at Christopher Columbus Park for young and/or new skateboarders.

Along with plans for the skateparks, Recreation for Kids and Community planned to renovate and open the two gymnasiums at the former Lebanon Middle School. This project was estimated to cost $400,000.

Because construction of the proposed skateparks was not cheap, the committee sought the help of a technical assistant. Phil Smith, a consultant from the LBCC's Training and Business Development Center, was hired. Smith helped with grants, letters and technical plans for the skateparks.

During April of last year, Recreation for Kids and Community received three grants used to pay for the consultant.

For the design and construction of the planned skateparks, Phillips sought the skills of Lincoln City's Dreamland Skateparks.

"They did the design plans for free and were more than helpful," Phillips said.

The company is professionally recognized for building " the best skateparks on earth." Dreamland has built in Bologna, Italy, and Rattenberg, Austria; and has created 25 parks in the United States. Fourteen Dreamland parks have been constructed in Oregon, including those in Aumsville, McMinnville, and both Lincoln City sites.

"Dreamland explained that they would bring all their crew and provide labor, the only part of the project that they would accept (from outside sources) was donations of material," said Phillips.

With the help of local youth, parents and community supporters, Phillips tried to raise money for the project. The group's fundraising activities included money jars, car washes, and newspaper collections. Tax-free donations were contributed from private and local businesses as well.

"Dreamland told us that when the skatepark was 75 percent funded, they would sit at a table with the skateboarders and listen and design to what the kids wanted," Phillips said.

The plans fell apart in June, when Smith wrote a letter to Phillips stating his observations and recommendations regarding the work of Recreation for Kids and Community, specifically, the skateparks. The letter explained that private funds and donations in the Lebanon community are spread too thin, based on the number of other projects, such as the Boys and Girls Club and city library and others. He also wrote that unless Phillips was able to identify one or two major donors willing to fund the majority of the costs to build the parks, the construction of the parks was not happening.

As a result, Phillips has retired her plans for a Dreamland skatepark.

"I just wanted something that was worthy of Lebanon, I gave it my best, I and the committee did but we just did not have the financial backing," Phillips said.

In July, Phillips presented Smith's letter to the Lebanon City Council.

"All the money raised for the skateparks is now going towards the gyms, we are proceeding with the gyms, myself and co-chair person Chuck Nugent," Phillips said.

Nugent did not return a phone call from the Lebanon Express. Phillips said he was busy.

Other skatepark supporters are not happy that Phillips is putting all the money raised so far to the gyms.

"We would have to start over at square one, since Judy has new plans for the money and the question is whether or not the city is still donating the land, so I don't know where this will go," said parent Molly McConnell. "There is no if, and, or but about Judy's effort being sincere. We're not disputing that, but it's disappointing that Judy decided to opt out because funding was not there. It is even more disappointing to local borders."

McConnell and fellow parent Kathy Schoenthal differed with Phillips over Dreamland's involvement. They prefer to have local contractors help build a skatepark, and think that some of the money raised should stay with the skater's project.

"All we need is the plans and the resources and Molly and I could make it happen. There are resources in Lebanon, there are parents that would do the labor and businesses to provide the material," Schoenthal said.

Business frequently complain that skaters are trespassing on their property. The construction of a skatepark would keep kids from riding on the streets and sidewalks, McConnell said.

Both parents are convinced that there is enough support in Lebanon for the skatepark effort to be a success.

"People in this town don't want the skatepark to be a vision down the road; they would like to see it now. It can be a simple park that doesn't cost much and it shouldn't be a debate between different people," McConnell said. "The city of Lebanon has a responsibility to the youth in this town, so the skatepark saga will continue."