Skateboard park
July 28th, 2009 by 
Alica
The city and school have reopened negotiations about where to move the skateboard park. But users won’t have any trouble finding it once it’s moved, because talk is of moving it only a stone’s throw, to just east of the water tower. That would cost $75,000. The ice skating rink would be moved too, to an area near McHardy Park, for $25,000.
It’s not set in stone yet, so there’s time to comment. What do you think of the plan? The school wants the skateboard park moved because of plans for a new band practice field at the spot where it is now.
Posted in Uncategorized, City business, School business | 
July 29th, 2009 at 9:59 am
I think the Aspen Park Complex would give this skateboard park more room, should there be a need to expand. The parking would be better also.
July 29th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Seems like a lot of $$$ to spend to move these things. I guess think “permanent”. I agree with #1 to move it to Aspen park or one of the other parks. To me, moving it by the watertower would be a temporary move. That area will be needed by the school in the future.
Why can’t the school put the band practice field by the watertower and save us all a lot of $$$$.
July 30th, 2009 at 9:38 am
both should go to either Aspen or McHardy Park. These parks are out of neighborhood range, so should not be any noise, trash, or extra traffic complaints….maybe….
They are both also easy to get to for all residents
July 30th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
The current location is conveniently located near a clinic, but I agree they need a permanent location and the high school will always need more room. I would vote for Aspen - bigger park, more parking, not used much in the winter.
August 2nd, 2009 at 8:52 am
Why not move it across the road to the middle school. There is a lot of open land and parking available.
August 2nd, 2009 at 8:17 pm
why not at aspen, right outside the pool entrance, so the person working the pool entrance could also supervise the skateboard park at the same time. Eliminating an employee, which SAVES MONEY.
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:42 am
I think, and correct me if I am wrong, there is the school owned property and city owned property. The skateboard park and skating rink are on school property now and that’s why the change needs to be made. The school needs that property.
The property by the watertower is city-owned. But, I really don’t think it is the best spot for a skateboard park. I think it would be too much congestion for a busy corner.
Aspen Park is my pick. Ballparks, swimming pools, and possibly the skateboard park in one location would make it a great place as there is more room for expansion and parking.
Does anyone know if they are considering other locations?
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:59 am
I agree totally #7. A permanent spot in one of the parks should be the only place considered. A little common sense goes a long way.
August 4th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
I almost hate to ask, but is the skateboard park used enough to warrant moving it? Most of the time it looks empty to me, but I may be passing at the wrong time.
August 5th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
I believe it is very expensive to keep it running - based on the number of kids using the skatepark. That being said, it is a “nice to have” for those kids that do use it.
August 12th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
#9 & 10 — maybe not ENOUGH kids use it, however SOME kids use it — and I’m sure it is used as a marketing tool for some realtors when they are approached with the question “what is there for the kids”. After reading about Sunny the mascot to PROMOTE Brandon…this should not be another something shut down so that kids do not have somewhere to “hang”. In my high school years, we had a place to hang called the Lynx Den — it was a blast with video games, pool, foosball, pizza, etc. Unfortunately, it was not supported enough to continue operations, therefore we had nothing else to do besides go to town — in the days of cruising the loop. In general, where do we expect our kids to hang if we do not support the basic structure, or activity? I see the skateboard park being used on several occasions, and my children have used it after signing the waiver. We, as a city, cannot voice the concern of “we need something for the kids”, and then choose to not support them.
August 12th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
I live near the skateboard park and I just want to say that it is used frequently. There are kids enjoying the park most of the day, even on the hot, humid days we have been having.
August 13th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
#11 I did not say I was against the skate park. I just said it is expensive considering the number of kids using it. It is great for those kids that do use it.
It has cost the city (taxpayers) over $100,000 to build and maintain the skatepark. Now they are needing to move it for another $100,000.
The city has not given that kind of money for soccer fields, ball fields, etc. Those activites have a lot more kids participating in them. And yes, I do recognize the city has recently done TONS for the ballfields and soccer fields which is very much appreciated!
Again - the skate park is a good thing, just spendy!
August 14th, 2009 at 9:55 am
To #11:
When I was in high school, there was a teen hangout place called One Stop. It was located in the northeast corner of the Brandon Plaza. There were pinball machines and a snack bar.
My brother used to spend most of his days there. He would bum a quarter off some kid so he could play pinball, then he would play all day on that one quarter. He was a very good pinball player and won lots of games. When he was ready to go home, he’d sell all the games that were left on the machine to some kid. My brother was the only kid I knew who turned a profit hanging out.
Like most teen hangout places, One Stop lasted a while then closed because teenagers don’t often spend enough to support a business.
As for things to keep teenagers occupied, Brandon has a lot of summer activities with sports camps and other programs. And I’d like to suggest that teens can keep busy in the summer with summer jobs, summer school, helping with summer programs at their church and, of course, doing chores at home. There is always yard work and housework and laundry to do, and it’s productive to tend a garden in the summer.
Oh, there’s no end to the opportunities to keep busy, year round.
August 14th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Yes, there are many things for teens to do in Brandon. Summer programs are plentiful. Not everyone, however, is a team sport athlete. Someone will correct me if I’m wrong, but are the ball and soccer fields considered self-supporting because they are revenue sports? For instance: (team)entrance fees, admission fees, concessions…the skateparks (ice & boards) are not. At one time, there was a nominal fee to use the skateboard park ($1, I think, to pay for an attendant). Either way, Alica and #13 both have valid points that I agree with
August 14th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Soccer and ball are not “revenue sports”. Fees that are collected are used to run those programs. The city does help financially with providing monies to update fields, etc. The fees collected from participants could never cover all costs for those programs.
I also agree with you #15 that not all kids are team sport atheletes. It is nice that the taxpayers support all different kinds of activites for kids(summer rec, swimming pool, tennis, soccer, ball, etc.).
August 25th, 2009 at 12:24 am
Logan Wesley Keck, 19, arrested for possession of marijuana and warrant service.
– Jerry Allen Burkhardt, 18, arrested for possession of marijuana.
Oh so sad, and I even seen the black Caddy on a tow truck, crime don’t pay. And why do you see these adults hang out at the skate park….sales, sales?
The park needs responsible ADULT supervision!
August 25th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
FYI Mr. Burkhardt will only be a senior in high school this year. Yes he is 18, but he is still young. No clue who Mr. Keck is or what he does.
I hope they are not dealing drugs at the skate park. Do the Police ever stop down there?
August 29th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Ok, ok, ok, brandon gossipers im back (this is ShutUp) Jerry B has been smoking the jolly green with me since freshman year and just cuz they got arrested for possesion of marijuana means nothing 1st off Keck is currently incarcerated from other crimes he allegedly commited and as for Jerry, do you stupid brandon people think he is the most of your worries. Brandon people you have no clue what your talking about when it comes to who’s who in this areas weed game. but really brandon people its all SuFu where the real “criminals” are, if you can even count Marijuana a crime. so ONCE AGAIN you all have no clue what is REALLY going on in your sweet perfectly retarded town of Brandon. We gone’ tear up the school and the police this year ladies and gentlemen PEACE oh and BTW GO SUFU!!!!! where are the real dudes chill