Prefab or Concrete? Ferndale Researching Skate Park Options

(Crystal A. Proxmire, June 26, 2017)

Ferndale, MI – The City of Ferndale is going to get a skate park, but the question remains – what kind?

After approving a skate park design at their June 12 meeting, Ferndale City Council began getting feedback from residents who want a concrete skate park instead of one with prefabricated components. The park will be installed at Wilson Park.

“There is nothing like recommending an item to City Council for approval, to really find out what people are thinking,” said DPW Director Loyd Cureton. “At the council meeting of June 12, at my recommendation, City Council approved the purchase of equipment and installation of concrete, for a skate park. Almost immediately, I began receiving comments and emails that were highly critical of the type of equipment, long-term maintenance needs of the equipment, the American Ramp Company, and in their view, an outdated design. Sensing this could potentially lead to a very controversial and hostile reception of the skate park I delayed entering into an agreement with the American ramp company (ARC). To date I have not entered into an agreement with ARC.”

Cureton added “Although these comments attack the ARC, This not the issue. The ARC was awarded a contract with the National Joint Powers Association in a national bid. The price for this equipment is competitive and of value for the costs incurred.

“The real issue is the desire for a completely different style of park that is cutting edge and involves high-level concrete work. These new designs are beautiful, state of the art and so I’ve been told “fun” to use. I have not received any prices for these types of designs, I would like to see what the cost might be if we change direction.

“I am told that the original group of adults and children are on board with these potential changes. At worst we could be delayed a couple of weeks and then proceed as planned or change things up with a skate park of a different sort, if it turns the cost for the design and construction of these types of skate parks is affordable. I have a number of calls out to various entities.”

He said the skate parks are like apples and oranges. “This is an entirely different process, more of a design/build project because of the creative aspect of the work,” he said. Once he investigates the design options, Cureton could bring potential changes back to council.

The approved project was a collaborative effort by Ferndale residents, professional skateboarders and The American Ramp Company. Obstacles include several quarter pipes and half pipes, jump boxes, grind rails, stairs, ramps and DIY spine, with a costs of $249,937.76 to American Ramp Company for equipment and $108,648.00 to Hartwell Cement for the concrete work.

The issue is not on the council agenda for tonight’s meeting, however Brad Dahlhofer – of B. Nektar Meadery – who lives in Ferndale and has been skateboarding since 1983 – is planning on coming to talk during public comment about the benefits of a concrete design.

“I want a park as much as anyone else could. But I don’t want to waste tax dollars on a park that won’t get used,” he said. Dahlhofer created the Facebook page Ferndale Skatepark to help share information about skate park options. He’s asking people to share their ideas on that page so he can share them with Council. “ We want to have a good mix of street, ramp, and bowls in the park to accommodate different skating styles, levels, and ages. It’s no fun getting to a park just to find that it was built for pros, or for little kids. We need diversity so we can have fun, but also push ourselves to develop as skaters,” he said. On that page he also shared a link showing what happens to prefabricated parks as they age.

He’s also taken the imitative to connect with professional skateboarders and to reach out to other cities. “ I have been reaching out to other communities to see how satisfied they are with their parks. Also, to figure out if there are hidden costs, maintenance challenges or other things we might not be aware of. Doing this has gotten us an invite to visit one of the best parks in Michigan, Ann Arbor. They have offered to share their experiences and help us get the most out of our project,” Dahlhofer said.