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• Parks and Recreation Committee March 5, 2001 Page 2 at their church. The park is well supervised. Waivers, identification cards and helmets are required. Users of the park come from the local community as well as Granger and Michigan. He noted that the church also has a BMX Dirt Track which serves as an outreach program to the community. On Tuesday and Thursday evenings during good weather they average approximately 70 skaters an evening. He noted that they have few behavior problems. He concluded that the church is proceeding ahead with an in-door skateboard park in the near future. A film about the church's park was then shown. Steve Donager of the City of Valpariso Parks and Recreation Department stated that in 1977 a series of meetings similar to this one were held in Valpariso. A 1416 member committee was established in preparation for the building of Flounders Park. It is a street park with all above- ground materials. The project cost totaled $ 60,000, with $30,000 of that amount being raised by volunteers. Eventually users of the park were used as volunteers to help construct portions of the park. Valpariso charges $ 3.00 for three (3) hours of usage at the park. They provide gear for rental. Non-Valpariso residents are charged $ 5.00 for three (3) hours of park usage. Mr. Donager stressed that having a joint city/community program for fund-raising and building helped create"ownership in the park". In 1999, the 1st year of operation they had 600 waivers on file; in 2000 they had 1,400 waivers on file. Last year they had two (2) skate competitions and a skate camp. They do not have BMX ramps. He noted that having the community "be a part of the process"proved a positive approach in their community. Mr. Donager noted that having a skate park did not stop skateboarders from skating in the downtown. He stated that using steel frames and steel studs turned out to be a"nightmare". Rain in mist form required the park to close. He stated that all such facilities should be well-fenced. Leda Covington of the South Bend Community School Corporation stated that she received a call this morning from the Parks and Recreation Department about the possibility of partnering with the City on this project. She stated that she is at Dickenson Middle School and is involved with a 21st Century Community Grant after school program. Transportation to the skate park would have to be provided. She also noted that partnering with the Police Youth League should also be considered by the city. Mr. Patrick O'Connor of City Securities, Inc. of Indianapolis noted that his insurance company has insured the Goodwill Games, Pan American Games, Olympics and others. Since 1991 they have been involved with providing coverage for skate parks and has not found them to be more difficult a risk. Coverage would require careful risk management, monitoring of activities, separation of time and space activities to name a few. He noted that certified instructors would also be a requirement. Further recommendations include that the facility be guarded, gated and lighted and that written releases be a requirement. He said that skateboarding has become a mainstream sport for the younger generation. Council Member Coleman thanked all of the speakers for their input. He suggested that a future committee meeting take place on either March 12th or March 26th. Council Member King noted that this was the first public discussion on the skateboard park concept. He noted that he sees it as a good idea, however he questioned whether spending possibly up to $ 250,000 on one (1) segment of the community's population was prudent. He noted that there are many concerns that have been raised with regard to the current conditions of