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Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of April 28, 1999 Page 2 property would need to support the project. He suggested that she canvas those neighbors who would be affected by this development since their approval would help the success of the project. The Commissioners discussed the proposal and Commissioner Slusser mentioned the successful Adopt-A-Park program in San Jose and the Commission's desire to have a similar program in Redwood City. Currently there is one park in Redwood Shores under the Adopt-A-Park program which is being co~maintained by the community. Chairperson Morton asked staff to supply copies of all Adopt-A-Park materials acquired from the City of San Jose to Ms. Davey for her review. ITEM 1 - RECOMMENDATION FROM YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD REGARDING LOCATION OF SKATEBOARD PARK Manager Julie Hannon gave some history of how the concept of a skate park was developed. She noted staff and members of the community have been working in this since September 1997 and the City Council has allocated $150,000 towards the construction of a skate park in Redwood City. Staff has made site visits to the many skate parks in the Bay Area and has spoken with each of those cities about their skate park development and the pros/cons of their facilities. Manager Hannon stated staff and the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) and members of the community have looked at possible sites within Redwood City for a skate park but many were not for sale or the purchase of the property was cost prohibitive. The group has selected a site behind the NFL Alumni building at Red Morton Park as the site for the proposed skate park. Assistant Recreation Center Supervisor Adilah Haqq-Smith provided the Commissioners with the results of a survey she did on the various skate parks in the area including their square footage and construction costs. She noted that in speaking with each city and their respective police departments, not one city mentioned any problems with their skate parks and they appreciated having a good resource to refer skaters to. Supervisor Haqq-Smith felt the proposed skate park site at Red Morton Park is centrally located and easily accessible for youth and teens. Youth Advisory Board member Eboni Hudson said that kids now skate anywhere they can and do it at places like City Hall. She felt it would be best to have a location for the skaters to go where they can skate without being harassed or ticketed by the Police. She said that skating is a sport just like basketball and baseball and that space should be given to the sport. Ms. Hudson felt the location selected was good because it is very accessible and it would not be close to residential housing. Manager Hannon showed an aerial photograph of Red Morton Park and blueprints identify where the proposed skate park could be constructed. She said the criteria for selecting a site was that it be at least 100 yards away from residential homes, that it be accessible, close to bus routes, and minimum of 9,000 square feet in size. She stated that most of the property which could be considered for the site would cost over $100,000 to purchase and there would not be sufficient funds to construct the facility. Manager Hannon asked for two representatives from the Commission to serve on the design committee; Commissioner Davis had volunteered to assist in June 1998. MIS Truscelli/Swope: To approve the recommendation of the Youth Advisory Board regarding the location of the proposed skate park. - "