Hart Skate Board Park

A meeting between representatives of the City Recreation and Parks people, the Nechako Rotary Club, the Downtown Rotary Club and the Hart Community Association took place last Thursday to complete a site assessment for the potential construction of the Hart Community Skate Board Park.

The two locations offered by the City are Bravery Park, which is located directly behind the Eagles Hall, and Heather Park, which is located directly behind the Elks Centre.

The Heather Park site is somewhat isolated and the current developments are most suited for team type sports such as baseball, football, soccer etc.  The group in the site assessment agreed that it is less desirable for something like a Skate Board Park due to its isolated and secluded nature.

The Bravery Park site is close to the Hart Mall and shopping, as well as being very visible with immediate proximity to the children's play ground and a ball diamond.

Residents in the area would have the ability to attend to both the very young children and their youth that have progressed to the Skate Board age.

Discussion involved asking the local residents and the kids on the Hart about their preference of locations and access.  Additional information will be asked about the possible inclusion, or changes that might be recommended over the current skate board park locate downtown across from the YMCA.

The downtown Skate Park was built in 2002 with  19,000 sq. feet and cost $250,000 dollars.  A Skate Park was built in Peachland in 2012 at 5,000 sq. feet and cost $225,000.

Discussion also included the options of above ground and/or in ground features.  Above ground features are generally cheaper.  Also, the fact that the current downtown Skate Park is heavily used by two wheel bikes, it might be a consideration to add to the design to accommodate a changing usage.

The City and the Hart Community Association have agreed to seek further input from people on the Hart for consideration of the Hart Skate Board Park committee that needs to soon be formed under the umbrella of the Hart Community association.