CANNON BEACH SKATE PARK PROGRESS

As most of the community knows, the City of Cannon Beach is trying to upgrade the skate park located in the southeast corner of the City Park on 2nd Street. The skate park project has been on the drawing board for 3 years now. Our current facility was constructed in 1988 and, at 3800 square feet, may be the oldest and smallest skate park in the state of Oregon. And, because of almost 20 years of wear and tear, it is not very safe.

3 years ago, a group of Cannon Beach teens approached the city about building a new skate park. At that time, the city council pledged that, if the kids could raise $40,000 the city would match that amount with the understanding that a state grant from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) for the balance would provide the necessary funding for completing the project.

A skate park committee was formed made up of local citizens including parents and kids. Fund raising efforts began and by 2007, the kids raised not $40,000, but more than $60,000. The literally hundreds of donations include a $10,000 grant from the Sunset Empire Parks and Recreation District and $9,000 worth of in-kind contributions from 2 local construction companies - Bob McEwan and Rich Elstrom Construction.

The park district's contribution has also provided a catalyst for SEPRD to resurrect the popular summer recreation program that was discontinued by the City several years ago. So, together with the City's $40,000 and, hopefully, a $120,000 grant from OPRD, our skate park will become a reality.

Stefan Hauser of Placed to Ride has been hired to design and build the skate park which has also been approved by the necessary boards and commissions. So, this project is ready to go. All we need is the state funding.

The OPRD has some difficult decisions to make. 40 applicants have asked for $11.4 million (average request = $285,000) but the department has only $4.5 million available to grant. So, based on these amounts, Cannon Beach has a little less than a 50/50 chance of receiving funding.

This past Monday, several Cannon Beach residents and I travelled to Bend to give a presentation to the Advisory Committee of OPRD who is responsible for deciding which agencies receive grants. Special recognition should be made to two local 15 year olds who have been working on this project for 3 years now - Lujac Desautel and Cole Willyard. These 2 teenagers did a great job explaining to the Advisory Committee their efforts in raising $60,000 to help make this project happen. If Cannon Beach is fortunate enough to secure a state grant, these 2 exemplary youths will be 2 of the reasons why.