Leakage problems at Margaret T. Hance Park caused a 12- to 18-month delay in plans to build central Phoenix’s first skate park, a Phoenix landscape architect said.
The Parks and Recreation Board Subcommittee originally chose Hance Park, located near West Culver Street and North Central Avenue, as the site of the new skate park back in September.
Chris Ewell, a landscape architect who works in the Parks Development Division for Phoenix’s Parks and Recreation Department, said the Rob Dyrdek Foundation “wants to move forward with the project” despite drainage issues in the park.
“The foundation said they will fund the skate park in Hance Park when we’re ready, but for now their plan is to move the project to Cesar Chavez Park,” Ewell added.
Cesar Chavez Park, located near West Baseline Road and South 35th Avenue, is about 10 miles south of central Phoenix, making it an inconvenient location for skaters in the downtown area.
Professional skateboarder Rob Dyrdek wants the initial project completed by the start of the Street League DC Pro Tour at the Glendale Arena being held on July 16 and 17, Ewell said.
Ewell also noted members of the community are currently planning out the project details and completing the master planning process.
“With the light rail right there, Hance Park is really a prime location,” Ewell said. “After repairs are made in the area, we’ll jump right into building.”
Jenn Orf, a librarian in the teen section of the Phoenix Public Library, said the new skate park is “long overdue.”
“Teens in this area have been hungry for a place to skate because there are really no places around that allow skateboarding,” she stated. “It’s great that they’re going to have one up soon.”
Orf also said she lives near a skate park in south Scottsdale that gets used constantly, so building another park downtown will be well worth it.
High-school student Jose Moreno has been skating for two years and said a new skate park would be perfect for him and his friends.
“I skate around Hance Park now, but sometimes I get kicked out because they don’t actually allow skateboards in the park,” he said. “We could definitely use a park to skate in.”
Contact the reporter at katie.kunkel@asu.edu
