Summer opening targeted for Palmer skate park

PALMER — As a band played a simple serenade outside storefronts in downtown Palmer, a group of teenagers gathered across the street with skateboards in hand. They executed boardslides on concrete curbs and benches served as launching pads for an array of kick flips and other nifty tricks.

But it wasn’t just another day for local skaters.

Valley skaters rolled to the Palmer Train Depot Thursday to get their first look at plans for a Palmer skateboard facility — an approximately 9,300-square-foot area that will consist of modular equipment from American Ramp Co. The equipment will include ramps, rails and steps. The park will be located near the intersection of Arctic Avenue and South Valley Way in Palmer.

Palmer resident Tommy Ducharme, 17, said learned about the possibility of getting a skate park in Palmer when he was in the sixth grade. It was exciting news at the time, but the plan lost its appeal after nothing happened. Now, as a skate park nears reality, his excitement has returned.

“It’s like a dream come true,” Ducharme said. “I live way far, like 10 miles, from the [Wasilla] skate park and that’s really hard. I can only go there like twice a month, and now I’ll be able to go here every day.”

Ducharme said he’s impressed by the proposed design and equipment. With a fun box, rails and some stairs, the park will provide plenty of opportunity for skaters and other wheel-bearing sports enthusiasts.

Although he’s happy with the proposed design, Ducharme said there is a little room for improvement.

“The only thing I hope for is a halfpipe, then it would be perfect for me,” he said.

Palmer Mayor John Combs said he and others have been working on bringing a skate park to the city for about two years. The project began as a grassroots effort when Cody Vetter, a Colony High School student, collected 500 signatures on a skate park petition.

Since then, proponents of a Palmer skate park formed the Palmer Skateboard Association (PSA) and worked diligently, he said.

“I feel elated,” Combs said. “The greatest thing is how people in the community have pulled together to make this a community project and not something the city government built and handed over to the kids.”

Combs said that local businesses, kids and other community members have pitched in money, time and services to get the wheels rolling. There is about $105,000 available for the $397,000 project. Funding sources range from the Mat-Su Health Foundation to the city.

Although the available cash may seem to fall short of the total price tag, Combs said monetary donations are supplemented by service and equipment donations. For example, the Operating Engineers Local 302 is donating time and labor to complete site work. The Alaska Railroad Corp. is leasing the property to the city and PSA for $200 a year.

In preparation for the project, Combs said the Alaska Railroad Corp. will begin removing old railroad tracks near the proposed location. Site preparation and construction will continue, with a proposed opening date of June 6.

Ben Lawson, 17, said he lives in Wasilla, but spends a lot of time skateboarding in Palmer. With that in mind, he believes a new park will be a nice addition to the city.

“I think it’s going to be a good thing for Palmer,” Lawson said. “Everybody that skateboards or rollerblades gets tickets, and I’ve got my fair share of tickets.”

Not only will the park be a place to skate, but Lawson said it will keep youths off the streets and out of parking lots, which are common, but illegal, places to skate.

Fellow skater Matt Brass, 18, agrees.

“Finally, there will be some place for kids to skate without getting in trouble,” Brass said.

Brass said Palmer skaters usually roll to the U.S. Post Office, library or local businesses to skate in parking lots, jump over stairs and ride on rails. A skate park will provide a legal and fun place to skate that will benefit local skaters and businesses.

“I think the people out in Wasilla are going to like it too,” he said. “The skate park in Wasilla is always cram packed full of people, so it’s going to be good for there too, because people will be going there less.”

For more information about the skateboard facility, or to become a Palmer Skateboard Association member, contact Stefanie Vetter at 355-0481. A public hearing about the facility is scheduled for May 13. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at Palmer City Hall.

Contact Chris Gillow at chris.gillow@frontiers-man.com or 352-2284.