Norfolk council debating skate park for waterfront parcel

"Oh my, what if my kid gets joked by the older, better skaters?! Give me a break."

And with this comment you help to prove my point that not everyone who is a skater will be able to use the park because of people with the idea that only "good skaters" "perfecting their craft" will force novices off the property either through bully tactics and / or physical means...

Make it a park like Tom Lee park in Memphis. Multi use, smaller venues...

and I can say that it is impossible to think about building a skate park there. I applaude the idea of the park, but not there. Put it in a more central location...the Granby Park would be an excellent choice.
With the dwindling waterfront opportunities available, lets look at something more prudent. Something that will give back to the city in terms of revenue. I can think of at least a half a dozen businesses that would profit from such a location.

I would like to know of City planning meetings and any other pertinent information regarding the building of skateparks in Hampton Roads.

John Fudala

If the kids want a skate park, build them one. Just build it in a reasonable location. Those kids won't value the waterfront. Use that lot for those in the public that will enjoy the waterfront. I can't believe Norfolk can't find another location that is reasonably accessable for skaters to get to.

I disagree. In real numbers I don't see a very large population to be served by a skateboard park. A general use park would serve far more people and the setting by the water would only enhance the experience and thus likely encourage more to use it. A skateboard park, on the other hand, can ONLY be used by skateboarders. I'm not saying one shouldn't be built, but on the waterfront is not the best place.

To Rob - I'm going to use my little brain just a little bit here and respond to your comment - I'll grant you that some fields can be used for other purposes, however, just try using one of the many baseball, soccer or football fields for anything other than a league sponsored use, or for something other than the sport the field was designed for and you'll see that those areas really aren't available.

My whole point is that there is a very large population that would be served by a skateboard park, and that population is every bit as deserving as the population of little league baseball players.

Ok, let's build more dwelling places for kids to sit on their overweight butts and play video games all day. Great idea.

Or, let's build a skate park where we can possibly integrate some Summer skate camp programs, some contests, some charity concert/skate events, and general promotion of exercise.

Oh but we can make a ton of money off this waterfront property! Oh my, what if my kid gets joked by the older, better skaters?! Give me a break.

It's possible the city is making a killing off illegal skateboarding fines (I've contributed to this bottom line several times, because there were no parks to legally skate at without traveling a great deal to get to one - back in my day after they leveled Northside's quaint skate park) so why not put it off, or decide against it altogether, right?

I was born and raised in Norfolk and I just grit my teeth and find it appalling that there is such a debate about something that will undoubtedly serve the community in such a positive way.

Get outside and play, people.

build a skatepark at the Granby Towers site? From what I've been reading, it seems like that will be about all the developer at that site will be able to afford....

I think a nice location,for the skateboard facility,would be at the Norfolk City Park, off of Granby st. In the place, where the tennis court is located. Nobody hardly ever uses it. If someone wanted to play tennis, they can use the tennis court at the willowwood park, thats not too far away.I don't like the waterfront location, because of the traffic congestion,and parking situation down there.Just my 2cents worth.

The quote: "let's get rid of the baseball fields and soccer fields and football fields and bike trails and all of the other recreational facilities cluttering up the area... Or, if all of you think we need to keep these facilities, please tell me why the people using them deserve special treatment and skateboarders don't." Let me expalin why other people deserve this so called special treatment. ALL of the aforementioned facilities can be used for OTHER purposes! You can play on a field, you can walk on a bike trail... What EXACTLY is another use of a skate park other than to collect bird crap when nobody is using it? Answer: Nothing. Therefore it is a waste of taxpayer funds.

While we're at it, let's get rid of the baseball fields and soccer fields and football fields and bike trails and all of the other recreational facilities cluttering up the area, and develop all of that too. We certainly don't want to miss out on any opportunity to increase the tax base and line developers' pockets.

Or, if all of you think we need to keep these facilities, please tell me why the people using them deserve special treatment and skateboarders don't.

fyi - I am the very proud mom of a skateboarder...

Amen CD Thomas. They ARE currently voting citizens serving in Iraq. I know, my son's been there. Twice. Twelve years ago I had to drive him to appropriate, safe places to skate like the Chesapeake skate park. Now there are several spots in VB. Get with the times, Norfolk. I'd like to see a skate park near downtown AND in a few neighborhood parks. It' good, clean fun for our youth.

Instead of a limited use facility why not make a park with a smaller skate venue. VB's park burned to the ground and to a certain extent I was kinda happy that happened. To hear the kids out there yell at novice skaters who's parents are tax payers as well burned my butt. Then the kids would say that they were trying to "perfect their craft" and this was reason enough to keep novice skaters from using the park. With that kinda of selfishness I say don't build it because you'll hear the same thing from the skaters again. And if you must build it make it smaller and make the whole park multiple use.

There's an unused city park occupying a full block at Park Place (27th and Newport) 2 blocks west of the closed down Boys & Girls Club on Colonial Avenue. Its also a 5 minute walk from the Coldstone ice cream shop on 21st Street.

Usually the neighborhood kids ride their bikes and play around the warehouses and train tracks. Why not put the park in the middle of a residential area where local kids can use it? And while you're at it, reopen the old Boys & Girls Club to give children even more opportunities.

Mr. Tabor, you are right on about this.

I agree that the city to whom we pay taxes should give back (what a quaint idea) but it should try to find a better way than a skateboard park on prime real estate. My main issue is that a skateboard park would service a very limited demographic and the location in question here seems particularly poor relative to the kinds of people who would theoretically use the three quarter of a million dollar facility. I just don't see your average businessman from downtown hopping down to the skateboard park nearby to get his skate rat on.
I, too, have traveled abroad extensively and have seen what great use local citizens make of green spaces. One needn't go overseas, either. Golden Gate Park in San Francisco and Central Park in New York spring to mind.
With this City Council, my biggest question would be which one of them has a financial stake in playground construction? As soon as they talk about giving back it's usually to themselves.

I second Mr. Tabor.

Yes, take a lesson from Virginia Beach and all the lawsuits and problems they've had with all of the horrible, vile skaters there. Oh, wait, there haven't been any. But at least the person that pointed out the $750,000 tax bas has a great point. Neither these skaters and their families, nor the thousands to follow will ever make up an appreciable tax base. If you ask me, the City should take every piece of public land, every grassy field and every public park and turn them over to the developers where they belong. I encourage everyone to vote this City Council out!! Elect a council based on big business, development and not giving anything back to the taxpayers themselves!!

you'd better make sure it is monitored and supervised. I'm not painting ALL skaters with a broad brush, but there is a certain element within that group that are prone to mischief, vandalism, and a general lack of common sense. Without supervision, there will be injuries, damage, and inevitably law suits against the city.

This skate park is much needed. Cool places like this for youth are essential to keep them from causing trouble. Kids today get into trouble because their is not enough for them to do. Why is it that an adult can go say, play tennis or golf at a tax supported venue but youth cannot? The youth of Norfolk spend a much larger percentage of their money then that of their parents. They have no other expenses. They may not own a house or car that produces tax dollars, but they spend a fortune in the cities stores and businesses. Getting the youth off the street and doing something else is a wonderful idea. To explain it to those who are closed-minded and pay no mind to skateboards, skateboarding requires an extreme amount of skill and guts. If we could channel that mentality towards creative activities, the area would benefit greatly. Besides, in the way of development, the area around a skate park would be prime retail space for a clothing store, a skate shop, maybe a small, simple restaurant. The opportunities are endless. But for those who have closed single-track minds, go back to the fifties. For the rest of us, think out-of-the-box. The man who kept the state of mind of past never

The revialitizaton of the Elizabeth River includes more than an endless stream of needless condos and office buildings that only further harden the waterfront. What would benefit the restoration of the River is to eventually restore a park-like buffer setting along the entire system and not only where those that believe they are in-charge think trees and parks should exist. Skaters are your children and mine. Skaters, like the brave hunters of simple deer, seek their prey where they can, scout venues to perform tricks and exercise in manners many of us would never think of trying. If we lard-butt slugs would get off our couches and watch skaters and appreciate all manner of uses along the Elizabeth River, we all will beneift. Put a skate park there and incorporate that into other recreational activities that serve to focus our attention on the restoration of the Elizabeth River. Skaters are not criminals. Former skaters are probably now serving in Iraq, attending college and in time will be politicians, but will certainly VOTE. Go for it OLLIE.

How dare anyone suggest that prime waterfront property be used for recreation? Skateboards? Canoes? A walking trail?? *GASP!*

Norfolk doesn't have enough office, retail, or condo units. Norfolk should follow VB's lead and take waterfront access away from the people in favor of future tax revenues.

Sad.

jmo

Is a skate park really the best possible use for prime waterfront property? I doubt it. But there is an easy way to tell. Sell the property to the highest bidder and if a skate park is the best use for the property, no doubt that's what will be built there. Private investors don't make stupid choices with their own money so often as politicians do with the taxpayers'.

If the market determines this is not the best place for a skate park, and the taxpayers of the city truly want one, perhaps one of the school locations soon to be abandoned due to declining enrollment would be a better choice, since schools are located closer to where people actually live.

While I think it's admirable that the lackluster council and particularly the less than stellar performer Regina Williams are trying to honor a promise, I think that a skateboard park near harbor park would be a bad idea. The reasons that I think it would be a bad idea is that that particular area isn't easily accessible to everyone, the surrounding neighborhood(s) aren't a place where I would want my kid to hang out and, until we are able to rid ourselves of this particular lot of OVER tax and OVER-spend councilmen/women, we need the tax income!

Why is there "not enough land" at Northside or Lakewood park? Whose opinion is that? How often are the facilities there utilized? If they are under-utilized, why keep them? There are numerous "parks" around Norfolk that are nothing more than grassy fields such as the one in Hyde Park, why not build several smaller neighborhood skate parks on those under-utilized lots?

I have traveled to most states and about 12 foreign countries. Most places have an abundance of parks/recreational facilities geared to allow kids and famlies to exercise and get away from the city. I remember as a kid skating rinks, drive in theatre, arcades, parks and recreational areas friendly to our youth. Now we have decided to build hotels, conference centers, malls and other faciltis that bolster the tax base. No these kids do not pay taxes, but they are our future, They need to have a place to play. Too many now play xbox and ps3's and or live on their PC. Why are schools play grounds and parks always last on our list to build. to the comment why waterfront property ? Maybe cause its nice scenic and relaxing. We need more places to fly kites and ride bikes and playball. Folks wonder why teens roam the street hang out on street corners? Build it they will come!! With their skates, bikes and balls. Is anyone listenng?

Lets stop thinking prime Real Estate for a minute or two and think about giving something to the community. The city builds and builds but it's not for the community, not many Norfolk citizens can efford million dollar condos or retirement homes have you notice that yet ? We have kids skate boarding in the street and in parking lots of businesses and the police has to run them off. The kids don't know the city has a city code against playing in the street which includes skateboarding. Give something to the kids for a change. The city wants to build to make that almighty tax dollar, I think it's time to give back. With all these new city projects going up you would think that the citizens in Norfolk would get some sort of a tax break, nope they keep getting hit in the pocket for more money. Every city wants their citizens to be happy but they never give anything that they can enjoy, it's just pay your taxes and be happy. So I say at least give the kids in Norfolk something.

So we are going to take prime WATERFRONT property and put in a skateboard park for a bunch of kids who contribute nothing to the tax base to the tune of $750,000? This city manager needs to go and go NOW!

of Burfoot, Williams, Crittendon, or Whibley. I'm sure they would be thrilled to have the skaters come to their neighborhoods and show their stuff. I'm not sure having a skatepark near a lightrail station is a terrific idea.