The idea of a skate park in Snoqualmie is not a new one. About ten years ago a group of middle school boys, led by Ryan Simpson, came to the parks board asking for such a park, providing a passionate list of reasons why a skate park would benefit Snoqualmie kids.
Simpson is now preparing to graduate from the University of Washington, but still believes the youth of Snoqualmie would benefit from the park, as does Snoqualmie Valley YMCA Teen & Tween Programming Director John Lockie, who spent his own teen years riding a skate board.
Since Simpson and his friends presented the idea of a skate park a decade ago, the Snoqualmie Parks Board has had many discussions about eventually building the park.
It now looks like the parks department is one step closer to realizing its vision of the first skate park in Snoqualmie. Monday, March 10, 2014, the city council unanimously voted to authorize “the pursuit of building” the park.
In a nutshell, that means the parks department will start pursuing grants and other fundraising opportunities for a future skate park, as the city’s budget does not have room to fund the project.
Snoqualmie Park Department Superintendent, Larry White, said they identified space at centrally located Snoqualmie Community Park for the future skate park – at the south end of the basketball court where there is about 6,000 – 7,000 square feet to incorporate the park.
It was stated at Monday’s council meeting that a skate park in this area would not infringe on the adjacent soccer field, while also having the benefit of being in a highly visible location.
The Park Department hopes to start pursuing funds for the design and construction of the skate board and begin installation by the summer of 2015.
