By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
For students of the Upperside Down Secondary School in Davis, thoughts of a Skatepark for Davis are more than a “Pipe Dream.” A group of 13 and 14 year old 7th and 8th grade students, along with their instructor Hanna Tierney, met with the Davis Town Council on May 13th to discuss a three phase plan for the Riverfront Park.
“This is an opportunity to invest in our town, our businesses, our community, and our future,” one student said.
The Skatepark project, called the “Pipe Dream Skatepark,” came about as a result of a Civics study by the students.
“Somehow we have spiraled into this research project about one or two opportunities that could be coming to Davis and how we could support the creation of those and make our community better,” Tierney said.
Over the past six weeks, the students have met with County Commissioners and non-profit organizations in order to learn more about the relationships between government and organizations, as well as strategic planning. The students also prepared and submitted a survey to local businesses that showed that 90% of local businesses would like to see additional foot traffic in Davis. The survey also showed that 95% of businesses would like to see more activities in the Town, as well.
During their presentation, the students presented a series of statistics including that for every dollar invested into the skatepark, three to four dollars in return from economic benefits were estimated to be gained from the project. Other statements made during the presentation included those on the benefits to tourism from skatepark festivals.
The students also conducted a teen survey in which they concluded that 82% of teens living in Tucker County do not use their local park very often. The survey also concluded that 83% of teens did not feel there was not enough to do in Davis for those their age and 78% responded that if there was more to do, they felt they would spend less time on their phones.
The students passed out a flier to the Council that outlined the plan for the park and brought with them a table top model to showcase their vision for the future of the project. In the flier they list partnerships with the Tucker County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Woodlands Development Group, National Youth Science Foundation, WVU Community Engagement Lab and Mon Forest Towns on the project. The WVU Community Engagement Lab is supporting with a conceptual site design, visualization and city planning which is slated to include grading, planting and storm water mitigation at $5,000 in kind value, according to the group.
In all, the project is slated to be completed in three phases. Phase One of the project is to be a Beginner Skatepark. This phase will include a Freshpark kit and concrete pad, as well as the Entry Way, which will include the stairway, slide signage and lighting. The estimated cost of Phase One is $213,000. Phase Two of the project will include a Skatepark Roller Pad, Gaga Ball and Hammock Hang Zone at a cost of $61,200. Phase Three is a Concrete Skatepark that is slated to cost $500,000. Total cost for all three completed phases is estimated at $800,000.
The group has completed some fund raising and will be applying for funding grants and other funding opportunities, they said. Part of the group’s plans included accessibility to the site via stairs and a path. Town of Davis Mayor Al Tomson told the students to let the Town “worry” about the accessibility issue, which would decrease the amount of funding the group would need to raise for the project.
The only official request the students made of the Council was a letter of support. The Council made a motion during session that the Council would send a letter of support to meet the groups funding application obligations the end of May.
