Waxahachie proposes park for skate enthusiasts

ZACH TOOMBS
The Ellis County Press
WAXAHACHIE - Waxahachie's Parks and Recreation Board was considering the construction of a skate park for the city.

'We know we want one and we know the people want one,' Director of Planning Clyde Melick said.

'I think the benefits of having a park like this one built are pretty obvious; there are seven and eight year old kids up to adults who love to skate.'

Although this subject has been brought up during previous meetings, the idea of building a park for skate enthusiasts is now receiving more and more support from board members.

'A park like this one would give kids and adults who like to skate board and roller skate a safe place to enjoy their hobby,' Board Director John Smith said.

'It's better than having them on the streets and safety is our number one priority.'

The board has discussed the pros and cons of building such a park, but they're still far from working out many of the details.

'Without question I think the people who skateboard should have a place to do their hobby,' board member Chad Hicks said.

'I think building the park would be money well spent.'

Even the location of the park is still up in the air, however, a few suggestions were made regarding the best place for skaters to partake in their hobby.

'Someone brought up that the parking lot in the zone currently occupied by JC Penny's could serve as a good spot for the skate park,' Smith said.

'We haven't really looked at locations yet, but we know we want an area visible and accessible to the public.'

Currently the Parks and Recreation Board is hard at work revising their master plan which includes making several improvements to existing parks in Waxahachie.

'Among other things, our plan includes development of nicer and newer accommodations in parks such as on the hike and bike trails and in natural habitats,' Melick said.

'We're also looking at improving picnic pavilions and possibly acquiring an aquatic center.'

Among the board's current projects is a senior citizens center.

'In a phone survey, a senior center was at the top of the list when it came to requested developments,' Smith said.

'We're already working on the construction of the center.'

The master plan will be modified by the board and discussed at their next meeting scheduled for sometime in September.

The plan will eventually be presented to the city council who then have the option of approving it.

As for the skate park, the chances for the construction of such a place seem to be improving.

Unfortunately, it may be quite a while before skaters will have a new facility to enjoy.

'Right now we're just gathering information,' Smith said.

'We haven't looked at the timeframe for the park too much, but I'd say short term we'll have it in two or three years and long term, maybe five.'

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