CC Min 1998-05-11 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

'.' . . I . I - leading down to the restrooms needed to be paved. She said she would like to see new parks in Redwood City to go with the new civic buildings, the new families and new - businesses moving into the City. She urged the Council to listen to the experts. Ken Linane, 511 Lakeview Way, and Michele Goldschmidt, 3884 Harvest Drive, members of the Redwood City Youth Advisory Board, addressed the Council on the need for a Skate Park. Ms. Linane said one of the unanimous goals of the Y AB was to build a Skate Park in Redwood City for skate boarders and roller bladers. She asked the Council to include funds in the CIP for a new Skate Park. Ms. Linane said the Board surveyed Woodside High School and acquired 200 signatures from students who supported the idea. She said, "Having a Skate Park in Redwood City would create a safe, fun and controlled place for kids to skate. The Youth Advisory Board plans to work with Parks and Recreation to gain information, find a suitable location, get input from skaters and the community and get the community involved." Vice Mayor Ruskin said he was glad to see members of the Youth Advisory Board active in the community and willing to come to the Council with their concerns. He asked them to come to the Council often to share their ideas and keep the Council informed. Vice Mayor Ruskin said he supported a Skate Park in Redwood City, and said, "I have a feeling that one will be built over the next couple of years." Mayor Howard said the Council was anxious to hear the Board's ideas and "how we can work with you to see if that could happen." - Ann Palu, 1710 Whipple, said she also brought her son, Jake, to the meeting and asked Council to set funds aside for a Skate Park in Redwood City. Mrs. Palu said the skaters in the community need a legal and safe place to engage in their recreational sport. She said the sport is growing and it was also "a mode of transportation and positive socialization activity among teens to fill their spare time." Mrs. Palu described the current trespassing and property damage issues that would be resolved with a Skate Park. She said all sports have the potential for injury, but bicyclists are cited by the police to discourage the sport. She said, "Cities that work in partnership with skate boarders in developing sites, rules and regulations, have dealt most effectively with the youth of their community. The skaters enforce the rules and apply peer pressure to make sure the rules are adopted. The time spent chasing individuals away from public structures is now minimized and can better be used on other problems in the community." She said a Skate Park needed to be close to public transportation, on street parking, have no negative impacts on residential neighborhoods, and is visible for security and safety and in close proximity to food and beverage stores. Mrs. Palu said Skate Parks are the most utilized, per square foot, facility that cities operate, less than 20,000 square feet. She said the one in Santa Rosa is 15,000 square feet and cost $140,000 with years of no maintenance. Mrs. Palu said the cost is the same as a tennis court, used year round, requires little or no maintenance, and the liability for children over 14 years of age, "has been addressed by recent legislation.: She said that skate boarders are good kids, som,\1. pf\Vl1om,h¡¡ve outgrown A YSO. Little League and Pop Warner Football forced into the streets. Mrs. Palu offered to help with this project. - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 56 MAY II, 1998 MINUTES Page No. 473 PAGE 24