Monday, August 9, 2010
Parks and Recreation Skatepark To Open Fall 2011 At Tobey Park
Posted by Mary Cashiola on Mon, Aug 9, 2010 at 10:48 AM
After years of wrangling over a location, the city announced today it would build its first skatepark at Tobey Park, near Flicker Street and Avery Avenue in Midtown.
“We are very pleased to finally let our local skateboard community know that this project is moving forward,” Memphis mayor A C Wharton said in a statement. “This is one more terrific quality of life investment in the heart of our city that will provide a safe, healthy, active resource for hundreds of our city’s children."
Funding for the skatepark — $440,000 — was approved by the City Council a few years ago, but the project stalled as possible locations — Overton, Glenview, and Rodney Baber parks — were explored. Tobey, one of the first options on the table, has the added benefit of lights, which would mean the park could be open extended hours.
The design team, a partnership between nationally renowned Wormhoudt Incorporated and Askew Hargraves Harcourt & Associates, is expected to host a public meeting within the next 30 days.
Comments (41)
Showing 1-41 of 41
Open a skatepark, but close a golf course? Let's see: which are there more of, skateboarders or golfers? More importantly, who pays more taxes, skateboarders or golfers?
I know; let's apply the same standard to skateboarders everyone wants to apply to golfers: are the facilities self-supporting. I'm so sure skateboarders will be willing to pay $35 to roll around.
What next, a cricket ground?
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I think one of the great benefits of the skatepark is that it will cut down on the skating in streets and on sidewalks, where they are a hazard to not only themselves but also to the pedestrians and drivers.
You're leaving out some facts there...
How many golf courses are there compared to skate parks?
What is the cost of maintaining a skate park versus a golf course?
If you do a total cost analysis of all the city golf courses against this one skate park, which do you think will be cheaper?
I'm a skateboarder who pays taxes and I know many, many more, Marty.
Thank you, Jim, AC, Aaron Shafer and all the skate community that made it happen.
Who pays more taxes? Marty, surely you don't want city services decided mainly on the answer to "who pays more taxes." Let's see, close down libraries, senior citizen centers, etc., in poor neighborhoods b/c they don't pay much in taxes. Think about it, that's a poor argument to make in opposition to a skatepark, Marty.
Whether we have a skate park and where it will be located is not (thankfully) up to those who overuse (and misuse, when you get right down to it) parentheticals (meaning stuff in parentheses, for those non lawyers) like some (really, just one) who over comment (I mean seriously is there any story that can be without a 56 paragraph comment by one dude) on this site. Brevity is (after all) the soul of wit. (I am pretty sure I made that up myself, but even if I didn't I know I've said it before).
Way to go AC and everyone else. Progress on the greenways, bike lanes, skate park. Amazing what a little leadership can do.
FINALLY, Tobey is perfect! As to taxes - I'll go with what Packrat, JDE & sbanbury said. I don't golf or roll but am glad to see the skate community get their share -this is long overdue.
Last point: It costs a TON of money to maintain a golf course in a high-end way with proper watering and fertilization.
That said, this is a great location for a skate park. There are a lot of houses nearby and if a skater can get to the Fairgrounds from Cooper Young or Orange Mound, it's an easy skate from there to this park.
Yo, Jack (know who I mean?): I'm so sorry I inflict my comments on you, oh great (and final) arbiter of what is, and what isn't, appropriate syntax.
It's terrible (isn't it?) to be forced to read something you don't want to, or that (quelle horreur!) violates your rules. It's not like you have a choice, or anything (is it?). No, no; it's always better to pass judgment (isn't it?). Superiority can be such a heavy burden, but obviously not for you (have I got that right?). Now that I think about it, not for me, either.
I think, by the way, if we're going to have a park for boarders, we ought to have one for stoners, too. Actually, aren't they one and the same, for the most part (not you, of course, Scott)? Well, at least now I'll know where to go to get weed (if that were something I did, of course).
"Golf courses and cemeteries, biggest waste of prime real estate in America." The Always Awesome Al Cervik. Notice he didn't mention skateparks!
Wow. Marty sure can't take a joke. As a great man once said, Lighten up, Francis.
Not hearing any support for my idea of a cricket ground, how 'bout a croquet green, bocce and badminton courts, and a combination dodgeball/kickball facility, all up and coming sports. I wouldn't mind a bicycle polo field either (I'll bet Anthony Siracusa would back me on that).
I figure we could fit some, or all, of those on that field that currently passes for hole number eight at Overton Park, once we close that hideous excuse for open space down. My goodness; just imagine the patronage, and low maintenance too.
Who's with me? There will be a meeting of interested parties sometime next week (time and place to be announced, once we find a facility big enough to hold the expected crowd). Interested parties are encouraged to bring their polo and/or croquet mallets with them.
My God, Marty. You're gonna spend half a day of your life getting all wound up about a skatepark? Go outside, guy. Get some air. Jump on your skateboard. Ask your wife about her day. Call Pack for an appointment at Smitty's. Anything.
Phlo: thanks for your concern. Smitty: I'm not surprised to hear something in your shop is wide open. I didn't know Pack was your appointment secretary, though. I assume he gets all the freebies he wants (even if not as many as he needs).
Actually, truth be told, I supported the skate park, as I supported the dog park, in spite of the opposition to both of them. My attitude is, the more recreational opportunities a city affords its residents, the better. I just don't want to see it done at the expense of MY recreational opportunity. It shouldn't be a zero sum game.
03: not so much suicidal as identity altering. How would his enemies recognize him?
Marty: Several things: Your little "wide open" quip is most certainly not appreciated. We took a long time to make our name. A long time. Second, Packrat pays for everything around here right out of his pocket, including the Coke machine. He receives no special treatment whatsoever. And you'll notice he doesn't post 100 times a day on this website. That's because HE is working his ass off. As far as I'm concerned, I believe I spent a bit of my own precious time early this morning educating you about our new "custom music" program at my clinic. I thought you'd get a kick out of that, but no. You're too busy posting yet another diatribe on some other thread.
Tell ya what, laughing boy. Come on in, climb aboard the table, and ol' Smitty's gonna pipe C.C. Rider in your headphones.
Marty doesn't need your services, Smitty. I have it on good authority that he bought a closet full of Ronco Assomatics before QVC stopped selling them. They're rechargeable y'know. Personally I prefer the professional touch.
Tongue in cheek, Marty--you rib me about my herbalism, I rib you about your battery powered consolations. Seriously, I tried to call you the other day to get together and reminisce but both numbers I have for you are dead and BV wouldn't give me your new number. Holla at me sometime.
Hey Marty?? How many golf courses are there in Memphis and DeSoto County?? Oh yeah, like 10-30. How many skateparks in Memphis and Desoto County? The answer is 2 Marty. What's up with the stereotypes and personal insults? Those are the last resorts for someone who has been owned. Take it like a man...in plaid golf pants
Retirees have plenty to do. I'm pumped that a sport not understood by old folks is getting some support here. I haven't wanted a skateboard since Marty got the hover board. But now.....who knows.
Now that we're diversifying the recreational opportunities Memphians are afforded, when do we get our gun range?
leela: what stereotypes and personal insults? You and neon are apparently both have such an ax to grind with me (though I don't know why), you have to make stuff up. Oh, and by the way, no one's "owned" me. Yet another thing you've made up.
Scott: gun range? I don't think the city could afford the liability insurance premium on one of those. [Call me dude--I left you a message]
I don't want him in here. He's one of those outside agitator types. So, no inside agitation at Smitty's. Sorry, pal.
03: No, it's a "Back to the Future" phenomenon. Too many people tampering with my history.
Smitty: Speaking of avatars, the more I look at yours, the more it starts to look like Tommy V's. No, really; you've both got that Slavic thing goin' on. You don't need to worry about me coming in: I've had this sore ass for many years, and hope to for many more; and, besides, you don't really exist, at least not in this time/space continuum. Sorry, pal.
Marty: Like others I've been trying to figure out exactly what time/space continuum YOU exist in. Incidentally since you spend a lot of time gazing at my avatar I'll put up a new pic you can pant at. Don't know what you see in this face, my wife thinks I'm ugly as hell! Oh, well. Horses for courses.
Smitty: Don't change the avatar. You aren't nearly as ugly as Tommy V. And hey, some of my best friends have been (or at least looked like) Slavs. Besides, no matter what you do, you'll still be in a shitty business.
But just think: if you'd studied a bit harder and gotten a better grade in organic chemistry, you could've been a proctologist by now and be making serious money dealing with other folks' shit. Then again, I didn't get a good grade in "org" either, and so I've had to deal with other folks' shit (albeit a bit more figuratively than you) as well.
ok mister "AWESOMEBERG" (not a cool name), skateparks cost little to no money to support, and they are usually free. i am a skater, and i think the park is a great idea, but i also play golf. i think that since most (temporary) skaters out there are little ten year olds who got a crappy wal mart board for christmas. they shouldnt, and cant, pay $35 for a sesh. that is just dumb. you are obviously not a skateboard advocate.
Wow, talk about a delayed reaction!
I'm delighted to see I got a rise out of a cross-generational recreationist. Golfing AND skateboarding? That's like shuffleboarding and hacky sacking, or mall walking and parkouring.
Live long and prosper, my skating, golf playing friend.
P.S. As for the name, thanks for the gratuitous insult. I don't think yours is too cool either, but if you understood the etymology of mine, you'd think it was WAY cool.
yeah, i saw that it was a long time ago, but i do think that it is better for the community. it keeps our skaters out of the streets, and besides, there are no good skate spots except for where the park will be. i would know, its being built a block from my house. And is the golfing and skating thing a problem? i would like to know.
P.S. i only put that name down so i could make the comment. otherwise i wouldve put more thought into it.
I pay taxes and my son skates. What kind of lame statement was that. I am thankful for a new skate park. I can't believe we waste so much money keeping all these public golf courses open.
skaters deserved it anyway golfers have their field football players have their field soccer players have their field baseball players have their field, skating is a sport to and toby is our field... just cant wait till collierville can figure that out cuz we dont have a field and skatings a sport to so wheres our field?
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