OXFORD — The city wants to build a skate park this year.

        Council this week agreed to apply for $40,000 in matching funds from Butler County's community development program.

        The city also would provide $40,000, and an additional $20,000 would be sought through fund raising, said Gail S. Brahier, director of parks and recreation.

        Use of the skate park would be free.

        The park could be built at the Talawanda Recreation Inc. (TRI) Center, 6025 Fairfield Road in Oxford.

        “There is a need in Oxford to provide a park for those who use skateboards and Rollerblades. They need a safe place to enjoy these sports,” Ms. Brahier said.

        Nationally, many communities prohibit such skating. But in-line skating and skateboarding are popular. In-line is one of the country's fastest-growing sports, with an estimated 8 million participants. Nearly 40 percent are between 11 and 17 years old.

        Middletown opened its own skate park in 1999, partly in response to the demand, and also because of complaints from business owners that kids were damaging property with their daredevil stunts.

        The skates and boards have already damaged pavement in Oxford's business district, Ms. Brahier said.

        “Skate parks have become popular for youth to practice their stunts,” she said. “Providing a safe place meant for such activity will help keep participants off the streets and sidewalks, minimizing damage to property and to themselves.”

        Advising the city on the project is Mel Durand, president of Suburban Rails in Athens, a builder of skate parks.

        He said such parks are typically made of concrete, wood or a combination.

        “Most of the skate parks built today are wood-framed,” he said. “They are relatively easy to build, inexpensive and can be placed on an existing concrete or asphalt pad.”

        If skate parks are built by a professional, their angles, curves and coping are easy to achieve, and there's little threat of the parks turning into white elephants in the future.

        “The sport is growing tremendously as a result of the attention granted it by ESPN, MTV and other media geared toward adolescents,” Mr. Durand said. “This group of kids needs our support. For years they have been neglected and worse, told they are criminals for skating on the streets.”

        Oxford residents may share their views and hear others on the project at 4 p.m. Jan. 18 at the TRI Center. Mr. Durand will be available to answer questions.

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