03/27/2002
03/27/2002
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1. Reasons to review the Skatepark plan
2. Elevator Pitch to the Board of Directors- Why Livermore needs a Skatepark Vision Committee
First of all, lets thank the LARPD for the existing skatepark. It was built well and is a fun place to go. We do appreciate it very much. We do believe, however, that it can offer much more to the community with some improvements and a long term Vision. For this reason, we ask you to listen and evaluate the following;
The facility is utilized by our citizens and families and needs a Vision. It provides a place for our kids and adults that participate in skateboarding and rollerblading. We find this an important part of the city's park assets and would like to see it enhanced to fit a complete Skatepark Vision. A five year plan can be created and plans made to attain the plan.
There is only one skate area! This has to be the most utilized 11,000 square feet in Livermore. There needs to be more skating space. Cement is low maintenance, once built, it lasts. No mowing, trimming, etc... It is crowded with skate traffic nearly every minute of every day. For example, let's take tennis. What if the City only put one tennis court in town and whoever showed up just added themselves to the court and played also. You would have maybe 8-10 players on a single court at a time. That is how it works at the skatepark and it is a real problem for the beginners.
We need areas in the skatepark for all skill levels. The bowl design supports only one or two skaters in it at any one time. With 10-50 people there at a time, this does not handle the traffic and creates a more dangerous atmosphere. Separate areas can be built to support various skill levels such as beginner, intermediate and advanced. Many other cities do this today.
Community atmosphere and general park landscaping are needed.. Items typically found in any city park and all other Livermore parks such as benches, trees, drinking fountains and lights do not exist at this park. We would like to develop the community atmosphere of the park. This includes facilities supporting parents watching their kids while skating such as grass and benches, tables that can support birthday parties and picnics, water fountains, bathrooms, trees for some shade, and lights for evening use. We have the largest population in the Tri-Valley yet have the smallest skateboard facility compared to Dublin, San Ramon or the new park coming up in Pleasanton.
The existing plan should be reviewed to enable future expansion. We would like it to match the LARPD's Vision and Mission Statement as follows; The mission of the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District is to provide the people of this area with an outstanding system of parks, recreation areas and facilities, and to provide recreation programs that will stimulate, educate and enrich the lives of people within the District. We are representative of the people of this area and have assembled here democratically to voice our thoughts and opinions on how important skate facilities are to us in Livermore. We have no other place to go!
To express our popular opinion to the city and its representatives including the LARPD. To express ourselves and be heard in a manner consistent with the City of Livermore's Mission statement. The City of Livermore will provide innovative, efficient, attentive and courteous service; promote economic vitality; enhance the quality of life for all citizens; build a better community. We ask that you kindly provide the attentive aspect of this Mission Statement and hear what we have to say.
To support the comments of the Livermore Vision Project in which has 17 specific references to the skatepark, over 100 references to our kids, children and youth, 400 references to parks, and 67 references to family. Here is a relevant excerpt;
| Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Agree | Strongly Agree | No Opinion | Total |
| Youth activity programs are sufficient | 14% | 30% | 25% | 4% | 28% | 100% |
To represent the values and goals of our current and future citizens as the Mayor's Mission Statement attests to in the following. The City of Livermore, the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District, and the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District (LARPD) have developed a unique partnership to ensure that our community has the public amenities and services for our current and future citizens. Skateboarding and rollerblading are definitely a part of our future.
To offer our assistance in any way possible to help drive the Skatepark Vision for Livermore. We will explore ways we can raise funds, design, expand, police, maintain or otherwise support the vision of the skatepark both now and in the future. All we need are open ears and open minds.
Most of all, we wish encourage the Board of Directors to bring the skatepark plan and review forward during Matters Initiated to put on the official agenda for the Public and Board to hear and consider the opinions of those in the community that utilize it.
These things we ask of our public representatives on the Board of Directors of the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District.
The park is a family facility and should have the facilities of a family oriented community park We therefore we wish to add Landscaping, Benches, Trees, and Drinking Fountains and other common attributes of a park.
The park is one of the busiest facilities in all of the LARPD district and deserves more careful planning of the landscaping to include provisions for expansion as popularity continues to grow and is currently inadequate for the various skill levels it serves and the numbers of riders that frequent it.
To collaborate on creating a Vision for what a skatepark should be to the community both now and in the future.
To encourage the Board of Directors to bring the skatepark plan and review forward during Matters Initiated. We ask you to put this topic on the official agenda for the Public and Board to hear and consider the opinions of those in your constituency that utilize and support it.
To evaluate and discuss ways in which we can develop ideas on design, funding and/or donations in order to accomplish the above goals at a future meeting.
I ask you, the Board of Directors, tonight to open up a dialog with the public regarding the skatepark and hear us. We can discuss a plan moving forward to accommodate your concerns and our concerns. We can together or in committee form, develop a vision and plan for the short term, and long term for our skate facilities in Livermore. I would like the skatepark to be placed on the agenda for formal discussion. What is the risk of taking such a step?
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