Zachary, Louisiana has a group working on getting a park built… we wish them the best of luck, it’s just too bad that they’re going to install a pre-fab park as a “temporary” first phase (how many years has Baton Rouge’s “first phase” park been stuck in phase one, now?).

Regardless… we’re glad that they’re doing something. I grew up near Zachary, and it’s good that the area is working on providing something for the rippers there. Below is a press release for anyone who would like to volunteer some time (and a voice) for a meeting on March 29… check it:

By Annette Bernardi

Representatives from the Zachary Skate Club met with BREC on Monday, March 12, 2007 to discuss plans for a temporary skate (boarding) park in Zachary. This meeting is the result of a large contingent from the ZSC showing up at the March 2, BREC hearing regarding community parks. At that meeting the ZSC mobilized its members to request that BREC construct a temporary park to fill the needs of the local skaters until the sports park behind the existing baseball park is complete (in approximately 3 years) It was difficult to tell who was more excited by the idea, the BREC representatives or the kids from the Skate Club. ZSC President, J.P. Brown explained to Bill Palmer, BREC Superintendent, that the skaters have no designated, safe place to skate in Zachary so they skate on the streets and in business and church parking lots where they are not often welcome. “What we really want is something like the Hammond park but with more street elements. But we really need a place to skate until that can be built. We just don’t want the temporary park to turn into the only skate park in Zachary.” Mr. Palmer assured him that a “real” skate park can be part of the plan for the Zachary Community Park.

J.P. and a few representatives from ZSC, including: Tyler Bennett, Clint Dozet and Zach Wattley met with Leigh LaFargue and Joson Hoggatt of BREC on March 12 to brainstorm ideas for the temporary skate park. According to Ms. LaFargue of BREC’s Planning Department, the usage at this park will be a good indicator for BREC whether more BREC community parks should contain skateboarding facilities. One of the club’s big concerns was that this NOT be another Veladrome. Jason Hoggatt, BREC’s Special Events Coordinator, assured them, “The Veladrome is the past, and we are talking about the future.” One measure being taken to ensure the park’s viability is the ZSC involvement in the design and construction of both the temporary and permanent skate parks.

The temporary skate park is to be constructed of commercial grade pre-fabricated ramps on a concrete slab at the Church Street Park between the existing baseball field and the community center. A variety of obstacles to appeal to both new and experienced skaters would be ideal. Once the real park is built the slab can be converted to another use. BREC’s goal is to have this park up and running as soon as possible. The Zachary Skate Club is hoping for it to be open in time for the summer school break.

Zachary Skate Club will hold a meeting on Thursday, March 29, 2007, at 6:30 pm in the Side Room at BREC’s Church Street Community Center. The agenda includes reviewing preliminary designs for the temporary skate park. You don’t have to be a skater, the public is welcome to attend.