Even earlier than it opens later this yr, Cullman’s new skatepark is already getting some critical air. Because of a trio of personal donors, the professionally-designed skating and BMX playground has gotten a $120,000 infusion of latest funds to make sure that easy concrete and perfectly-placed drop-ins received’t be the one facilities.
Cullman Parks, Recreation and Sports activities Tourism introduced the locally-contributed funds this week at an occasion held simply exterior the park’s northern boundary, amid a busy backdrop of contractors and churning development equipment. Parks director Nathan Anderson mentioned the aim is to finish the pool, ramps, rails, and different skate-able options throughout the subsequent three weeks, leaving one other three weeks or so to construct out the remaining peripheral facilities — issues like landscaping, seating, shaded areas, and restrooms.
Landscaping and restrooms are precisely what the donated cash will fund. The mixed $120,000, mentioned Anderson, was raised after a neighborhood household approached town with a proposal to contribute $50,000 towards the park — if, that’s, one other native social gathering would skate as much as the coping and drop in with an identical quantity.
“Town had already budgeted for the park, however we knew we would want facilities: bogs, benches, shade, and landscaping to associate with the mission,” mentioned Anderson. “We have been very lucky to have a non-public native donor, the Whitesell household, step up with a $50,000 donation. Nevertheless it was contingent on a match. Simply as we’ve seen many occasions earlier than with different massive initiatives, the neighborhood comes collectively, and we’re actually excited that we have been capable of finding that match and extra.”
Along with the Whitesells’ $50,000 donation, the Cullman Rotary membership introduced the division a examine for $40,000, whereas the Basis Board for Cullman Parks, Recreation and Sports activities Tourism donated one other $30,000 in proceeds raised from this yr’s Dinner on First fundraiser. Basis member Ben Harrison mentioned the skatepark rounds out Cullman’s leisure options in a novel method that not many cities of comparable dimension can provide.
“It was one thing we checked out because the neighborhood grows: ‘What do we’ve to supply for youthful folks, and even the older individuals who wish to proceed to have enjoyable with their bikes and boards?’ …There aren’t numerous locations you may go to do that, and never be on somebody’s personal property, or appear to be you’re destroying somebody’s property.
“So this can be a nice alternative for youthful children to have that secure place to go and revel in their sport, and with the recognition of the X Video games, it offers them an opportunity to hone those self same abilities that they see on TV. Who is aware of? Perhaps we’ll have a child from Cullman who at some point makes it to the subsequent degree.”
The skatepark sits on land instantly adjoining to the Cullman Police Division’s headquarters, separated from Depot Park to the south by a big, city-owned lot that at present sits empty (except for its in-house use as a staging space for development gear). Anderson mentioned the parks division ultimately will develop that property as an open-area occasions venue, within the course of linking the complete swath of city-operated parks property all the way in which from the Festhalle alongside First Avenue to the police headquarters throughout from Oak Drive.
“It can all be ‘Depot Park’ — all of it,” Anderson defined. “It will likely be one steady park space, all the way in which to this wooded space proper right here by the police station. The concept is to deliver Depot Park right through and to attach its areas the place folks will be utilizing it for various actions on the similar time.”
Cullman mayor Woody Jacobs mentioned skaters and bikers who’ve supported the mission are fully cool with the park’s regulation enforcement-adjacent location.
“One of many issues that we thought was distinctive was to find it right here, near the colleges; near the police station. And the skaters have embraced that concept.
“Actually, they’re simply thrilled to have someplace to skate,” he added. “As a result of sadly, once they’re skating round city, the police generally have needed to go and say, ‘Hey guys, y’all cannot skate right here.’ However we’ve by no means had any method to additionally inform them, ‘However you can go and skate over right here.’ Very quickly, we’re going to have the ability to try this.”
