Skate park discussion back on city commission's agenda

By Michael Glover

The Fort Scott Tribune

The Fort Scott City Commission and city staff will be discussing the issue of bringing a skate park to the community at their meeting Tuesday.

The meeting will start at 6 p.m. inside the city commission room at City Hall, 1 E. Third St.

Building a skate park in Fort Scott has been an issue that's been picking up momentum lately. A few months ago at a commission meeting, a church group came forward and asked the commission about the city possibly helping them build a park. The commission at that time said to come back with a workable plan and then the city will see about possibly helping out.

Then at the last meeting on May 6, a business owner downtown went before the commission about skateboarder honing their craft atop picnic tables in Skubitz Plaza. She said they were damaging the tables and asked if there was anything the commission or police could do to stop or prevent their actions.

According to a city ordinance passed in 1990, no person on roller skates, skateboards, or "riding in or by means of any coaster, toy vehicle or similar device" can go in any roadway except while crossing a street at a cross walk. They can't go on any sidewalk except in areas zoned residential.

Yes, there is a solution to skateboarders in Skubitz Plaza and other places they're not wanted. Build a skate park, Commissioner Nick Graham said at the May 6 meeting.

According to a memo from City Manager Joe Turner, Commissioner Jim Adams notified Turner that he knows of two donors who would be willing to donate a total of $20,000 toward a skate park. At Tuesday's meeting, Turner would like to discuss using the tennis courts located north of the swimming pool as a location for the park, according to the memo.

Also at the meeting, Turner will talk with commissioners about considering amending the current residency requirement ordinance. Also, commissioners will approve or disapprove bids for the downtown infrastructure improvement project.