Skate Park Survey Gets A Big Response

The Spokane skate park proposal had a bigger response than the members of Student Leadership and Involvement (SLI) expected. We received 101 responses from the survey printed on the Our Generation page and 263 responses from surveys delivered to private businesses and handed out during Kids Day at Riverfront Park and Battle of the Bands this summer.

Of the total 364, 163 were from people older than 18 and only six didn’t like the idea of having a skate park.

So it’s unanimous - at least from our survey: Spokane needs a skate park.

There were a variety of reasons to have a park; some of the biggest were “everywhere we go to skate, we get kicked out,” and my personal favorite “why not?”

Of the reasons given for not having a park, there were, “It will attract gangs and drugs,” “It can’t be controlled,” and “private business will provide it if there is enough demand.”

The majority of respondents thought the skate park should be located somewhere downtown (140 votes); others mentioned under the freeway near Lewis and Clark High School.

Most of the people who responded were skate boarders, but 289 people thought the park should be open to both boarders and in-line skaters. A few even wanted to include freestyle bikes.

As for having a user fee, 210 would still use the facilities if there was a charge. The suggestions for a fee ranged from 1 cent to $5.

Many obstacles and structures were listed as essentials for the park, among them a half-pipe, rails and fun boxes.

Most of the respondents said the park should have a “skate at your own risk” policy, no ID requirement and no lessons.

One of the best things about the survey is 297 respondents said they’d be willing to volunteer their time to make the park a reality. It shows people are willing to put in an effort and take responsibility for something they think is important.

Since we received so many surveys from people in Spokane county, SLI has decided to send a copy of the survey to both the county and city parks departments. We’ll also be sending copies to private businesses that showed interest in the park.

For any of you who would like your own copy of the results, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to SLI, 507 N. Howard, Spokane, WA 99201.

I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to fill out a survey and the businesses and people who handed them out. I’d also like to thank the leader of SLI, Anita Raddatz, for taking on this project.

You all helped Spokane take one huge step closer to a skate park. I’ll continue to write about any info that develops about the park. As for now, fare thee well and skate hard.