Lansdale Skate Park Finds Its Home, Could Open in 2014

An announcement Wednesday night will make the heads of skaters and other fans of a much-discussed Lansdale concrete skate park spin faster than a 1080.

Parks and Recreation Committee Chairwoman Mary Fuller announced at a Madison Lot Redevelopment sketch plan unveiling that the skate park will be part of the first phase of the redevelopment by Equus Capital Partners in Fourth Quarter 2013-First Quarter 2014.

"With this project, Lansdale will get its skate park in a location that is accessible from all points. It's in the middle of town and it's very visible," Fuller said. "It fits the requirements that we put forth with parks and recreation and public safety, and it serves an underutilized portion of our community."

Read more about the skate park at this link.

The skate park will be located in the northwest portion of the Madison Lot site, next to an existing electrical yard and near the water tower. This is the same area where Lansdale Beer Fest is held each year.

"We had heard there was a need that's been unsolved in the borough over the last decade, as the case may be," said George Haines, of Equus Capital Partners. "The committee came to us and said, 'It's approximately 11,000 square feet. Is there a place that it can fit in the development?' We feel the space proposed is a good fit."

Haines said the borough will not have to shell out the proposed $350,000 for the skate park.

"The money will come from the project itself," he said. "It’s one more example of a public-private partnership."

Haines said the location for the park was the conceptual location for townhomes in the Madison Lot Redevelopment.

"Just looking at how the project fit, we felt the best use of the space was the parking and skate park to accommodate phase one," Haines said.  

Parks and Recreation Director Carl Saldutti said the skate park was one of two amenities that Equus wanted to bring into the project, with the other being full completion of the Liberty Bell Trail to connect Upper Gwynedd Township to Hatfield Township. 

"They wanted to consider any recreational amenities for the community, that would be that stretch of the Liberty Bell Trail and the skate park, and they were gracious enough to entertain that," Saldutti said.

Saldutti said the parks department is in the process of applying for grants to assist in design and development of the skate park.

"It's in keeping with state initiatives and funding agencies. They want to get people outdoors and keep kids active. The greenway fits in, and the skate park fits in," Saldutti said. "We’re hopeful it will get favorable consideration through the funding process."

Fuller said she hoped the skate park development would begin by the end of 2013.

"I remain optimistic," she said. "We could have a skate park, depending on when the redevelopment starts, by 2014. Bottom line: Equus is paying for it and we're looking for grant money."

She said one major component of the design and development remains intact: Getting input from the skateboarding community.

"That doesn't change," she said. "It's our project and we get to do what we want to do no matter where it was. We have it funded now."

Saldutti said the parks department will be as aggressive as it can in plannign and input for the skate park.

"Our process is not changing. The committee was resigned to build a skate park and take the right course of action from start to finish," he said. "We will be engaging the skateboard community and gather their input.

"They need to have ownership and feel they are a part of the process. We want to make sure something is getting built that they appreciate and want to use," he continued. "Mary and I can't design it without their help."

Fuller said the skateboarding community is underserved in the surrouding area.

"We're glad that Lansdale can offer that service," she said.

Another important factor of the skate park is its accessibility and visibility.

"It will be very visible and accessible by public safety and users," she said. "That's not to be negative. It's not like the police will be 'Big Brothering' the skate park. Accessibility and safety are key to keep the park nice so no damage or vandalism happens."   

Saldutti and Fuller said that, along with the Liberty Bell Trail, it means more recreation for the community.

"You can bike to park, take the train, take the bus, and skateboard to it," she said.

Read more about the skate park at this link.