Skaters' pipe dreams slowly becoming reality

A dream that began to take definite shape this past fall -- an area skateboarding facility -- is slowly turning into a reality.

Last Thursday evening, a few skateboarders met with local community members at Fairmount Elementary School, 411 S. Fraser St., to discuss how to begin searching for a lot where a temporary outdoor skateboarding and inline skating park could be completed for the spring and summer months.

"The key would be sometime in the future to have clearances for space," said John Sheridan, director of learning enrichment and student services for the State College Area School District.

Skaters have been searching for a place where they can practice because skateboarding is prohibited in the streets and on the sidewalks in downtown State College and on the University campus. Last fall, local skateboarders led by spokesman Adam Korman, petitioned the State College Borough Council, with the appeal for an area where they can practice.

The skateboarders have since held benefit concerts and other fund-raisers for their cause.

At the meeting Thursday, four skaters and adult representatives of youth beneficiary groups, the council and the school district discussed several issues surrounding the idea of creating skateboarding and inline skating parks.

One idea the group agreed upon was to find two separate land areas for skateboarders and inline skaters.

"The potential is there for both," Sheridan said.

Two sites would give skaters more of a variety, thus preventing boredom and eliminating a build-up of too many people at a single location, Korman said.

Another idea proposed was the possibility of having an adult on the site not for supervision, but in case of emergency.

Members of Stand For Children, a citizen action team, would be willing to volunteer at the park, coordinator Anne Stokes said. Stand For Children consists of 25 members ranging from grandparents to clergy and college students.

Equipment could be borrowed in the beginning, Korman said, and the sites could even generate revenue if professional skateboarding demonstrations were held at the location for a small attendance fee.

"We could start off with stuff donated by the kids," Korman said. Chains could then be placed around the ramps and other equipment to prevent people from using the facilities after hours.

Some location ideas were discussed, but no offers have been made either for school-owned land or private property.

"If the skaters would get together and take these notes and focus on sites," Sheridan said, "(they) could work on some plans then come back with a concrete proposal."

The group has decided to meet again to further discuss plans. The informal meeting is set for April 10.