New Skateboard Park Location Proposed

First it was the Northdale area. Then came Waters Avenue and Sheldon Road. Next was Ehrlich Road across the street from Ben Hill Middle School.

None of those locations worked.

And so Hillsborough County is at it again. This time they are hoping that the community will welcome the Northwest Skateboard Park Project at Jackson Springs Park.

What do you think? Is Jackson Springs Park the right choice for the Northwest Skateboard Park? Tell us in the comments.

The park is about 6 miles from Westchase, off Sheldon Road.

The county will hold a public meeting on June 26, at 6:30 p.m., to gather community input on the proposed project. The meeting will be held at Jackson Springs Recreation Center, 8620 Jackson Springs Road in Tampa.

The proposed project includes construction of a 10,000 square-foot outdoor concrete skateboard park. The $600,000 project has already been funded through park impact fees.

But even though the project has been paid for, county officials have yet to find a suitable location for the skate park.

"We're just having a very difficult time meeting everyone's requirements," said Steve Valdez, spokesperson for Hillsborough County Public Works. "We've had viable properties for each of these locations, but each time it was very clear that it was not the desire of the public."

In early 2010, Hillsborough County announced they would be building three skateboard parks. Brandon, Apollo Beach and the Northwest area of the county were the designated locations.

The Brandon and Apollo Beach locations were met with community support. However the location for the Northwest park was not as welcomed by the community. The . The Apollo Beach skate park is currently under construction.

The Northwest Skateboard Park has been tough to get off the ground.

The Waters Avenue and Sheldon Road location was met with opposition by a nearby mobile home retirement community, who feared noise and crime would result from the Northwest park. The Ehrlich Road location drew ire from Ben Hill Middle School PTA and school officials who feared students may skip school to hang out at the park or be injured crossing the four lane road.

Valdez said the Jackson Springs Park location is a good choice because there is a recreation center and YMCA nearby.

"It's a good choice it's in the area that kids heavily use," he said. "It meets all the criteria for safety and activity, but what will the neighbors say?"