A new skate park could be built in Columbus by next summer as the city plans a complete overhaul of its current facility, which has been showing signs of deterioration for years.
The Jolie Crider Memorial Skate Park, which was constructed in 1999 at Indiana Avenue and Marr Road, has exceeded its life expectancy, said Stacy Findley, project and resource development director for the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department.
The city is planning to replace the existing 15,000-square-foot facility at Clifty Park, primarily made of wood, with a 12,000-square-foot concrete skate park that is expected to open by June.
Findley said the intent is to make the new skate park available to all individuals regardless of their skill level, including skateboarders, BMX riders, in-line skaters and roller derby members.
The city already has secured $170,000 toward the $385,000 project through a combination of private donations, parks and recreation capital fund monies and two grants through the Custer and Nugent foundations. However, additional funds are being sought in order to make the project a reality, Findley said.
For more on this story, see Friday’s Republic.
