BY JANET C. WETZEL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MIDDLETOWN -- Area in-line skaters and skateboarders may soon have a place to practice their aggressive twists, turns and flips.
Middletown officials want to build a 70-by-120-foot concrete skate park in Smith Park at Tytus Avenue and Verity Parkway. It could open by year's end.
And Baker Concrete Construction Inc. of Monroe, which has agreed to donate the labor and materials, has a commitment from Suburban Rails of Athens to donate the design work, said Lisa Bonati. She is Baker's marketing director and project co-coordinator.
Middletown city commissioners, who have final say, will consider the proposed site at the Oct. 20 meeting, said City Manager Ron Olson.
Baker is doing the project in conjunction with the eighth-annual national Make a Difference Day on Oct. 24. The firm hopes to break ground that day and be finished in 45 days, Ms. Bonati said.
Mel Durand, owner of Suburban Rails, could not be reached. But Ms. Bonati said he and his son, Aaron, have designed parks around the country.
"I asked him if he would donate his time and talent and be a consultant to help us get this park right," she said. "He agreed. It has to be really geared towards skaters or it will fail."
Baker is also working with other area businesses to line up donations of flowers, park benches, picnic tables and other items to upgrade Smith Park. If the project wins approval, the Oct. 24 groundbreaking could include demonstrations by a professional in-line skater and skateboarder.
The new park should end the months-long clashing among area youths, business owners, police and city officials. Teens have frequently complained to city commissioners that they have few places to skate and must use city property and business parking lots. That has drawn criticism from merchants who complain the skaters are grinding on edges of benches and steps and that the gooey wax they use for sliding damages property. The result: Police officers are forcing kids to go elsewhere.
It's a dilemma that's echoed in cities nationwide. There are few places for the 8 million in-line skaters nationally, and about 4 million skateboarders, to enjoy their sport, experts say. The Tristate has a handful of parks, and others are being considered. A committee of Middletown city staff began researching the matter in August and came up with the site recommendation this week, said Denise Bolton, recreation director. The park board approved the site Wednesday.
"Smith Park was chosen because it was an area in close proximity to neighborhoods, with access to drinking water, restrooms, telephone and public transportation," Mrs. Bolton said.
Having the materials and labor donated got the project rolling much faster than expected, she said.
"The city and businesses are certainly interested in putting them someplace where they won't cause damage or be a danger to themselves or others," Mr. Olson said. "I think it's going to work out fine."
