Plans continue to develop for proposed skate/bike park

 

By Alicia Dorset

C &G Staff Writer

     Plans for a temporary skate/bike park are in the works after members from Active Motivation and Hazel ParkCity officials met on Feb. 25 to establish goals for the project.

     The meeting developed several strategies, including finding a temporary site for the park; setting up a trust fund for donation;, and even finding old ramp equipment the city had on loan.

     “It went well. We had a very productive meeting,” said Ed Klobucher, city manager. Along with Klobucher, Hazel Park City Council members Jan Parisi and Mike Webb, Parks and Recreation Director Barb Scott and area parents were on hand for the meeting to get an update on the park’s progress.

     As of press time, Felker Park had been selected as the temporary site for the park. Committee members liked this park more than others because of its close location to city facilities and the size needed for the equipment.

     “Out of all the temporary sites discussed, this is the most favorable,” said Roger Templeman, Active Motivation. “It has the intention to be a temporary site.”

     Meeting members want a temporary site up and running while funds are raised for the permanent park. No time frame has been set on the permanent site’s construction. The city is letting the park use two ramps it built five years ago. They are currently on loan to a local church.

     “We’re hopeful we can get something in place for them to utilize this spring or summer,” said Klobucher.

     With a site in mind, members of Active Motivation, a group of students and adults working to make the park a reality while doing volunteer work through out Hazel Park, are now looking toward fund-raising.

     “We’re starting to somewhat seek, aggressively, donations,” said Templeman.

     Templeman is hoping to solicit donations from corporate sponsors, such as Home Depot. In addition to that method of fund-raising, the group is looking at holding raffles and sponsoring a “Battle of the Bands” talent show with high school students in addition to other smaller endeavors.

     “We haven’t concreted a lot of things yet,” said Templeman. “What we’re really going to be looking for are corporate sponsors.”

     To help Active Motivation keep track of the money they’ve raised, city officials established a trust fund for the group. To date, the group has raised $1,300.

     “The city holds the money, but the group controls it,” said Klobucher. “Once they get more money, they’ll look for a permanent site.”

     News about the park is spreading in the area. Hollman Construction recently donated $300 to the project.

     “We’re always looking for anyone to help us out,” said Templeman. “The word has been getting around.”

     From this point, Active Motivation and the city will focus on developing the temporary site for use this spring or summer. To help with this, the group is looking for volunteers, especially adults, to work with the students.

     “That’s really kind of the key factor right now,” said Templeman.

     Templeman is looking at the idea of having volunteers brought in to serve community service requirement from various court rulings, especially juvenile offenders.

     “Maybe this will help turn them around,” said Templeman.

     This past winter, students helped shovel snow for area seniors as a way to get Active Motivation better known throughout Hazel Park. Plans are being discussed to develop new community service projects this spring.

     Planning for the park began toward the end of 2004 when a group of Hazel Park high school students approached city council asking for assistance in developing a skate/bike park.

     Active Motivation is now considered a non-profit organization, so donations are tax-deductible. Donations may be made to the City of Hazel Park, care of Active Motivation.

     For more information, visit www.angelfire.com/extreme5/activemotivation/index.html.

     You can reach Alicia Dorset at adorset@candgnews.com