Skate park proposal presented to town council

At the August 1 Thermopolis Town Council meeting held at Town Hall, during citizen participation, Madison Moak presented a proposal for a possible skate park and pump track at Candy Jack Park. Moak and her husband are originally from Southern California in San Diego County. 

Moak’s husband was not able to attend, but Madison said, “As a lifelong skateboarder, my husband can attest to the value of a skate park, to the individual and to the community. To quote him, ‘my fondest memories of childhood are when my dad would take me to the local skate park. It was there that I learned etiquette, perseverance, and received encouragement from other skateboarders. It was a crucial activity that strengthened my bond with my father. Got me out of the house to exercise and grew my self-confidence and growth. This is a formative opportunity that we feel every family and child in Thermopolis deserves. We are proposing that a combined concrete skate park and pump track would be a great addition to Candy Jack’s Park.’” 

Moak added, “For the following reasons, it would broaden the recreational value of an established park in our community. The Candy Jack’s Park location provides visibility and accessibility that the current skate park does not. A current concrete skate park placed in an existing park would require minimal maintenance for the town. I have provided a few examples of what a combined skate park and pump track looks like. Those are just examples from a specific skate park design company. We selected this combination because it accommodates skateboards, bikes and scooters. People of all experience levels can enjoy the features with less intimidation than a high-level skate park.”

During questions and answers, council member Bill Malloy said he agrees with Moak’s vision and referred to his son’s interest in skateboarding, saying he “loved it”. Malloy mentioned Tony Hawk and how his son skated in Laramie Park. Malloy also mentioned the existing skate park at the bottom of T-Hill and how it is run down and vandalized, and also that there is no ownership of it. Malloy also relayed some of its history of how there was fundraising for it but no one followed through later with its upkeep.

Council member John Dorman Sr. mentioned the limited use of the wooden skate park and that it is “not safe.”

During the discussion, Moak said that their proposal would be constructed using concrete, not wood, which would be easier to maintain. Additionally, the location of Candy Jack Park is near the middle school, fire hall, and 14th Street and there is good lighting. Also, in Moak’s written report, they addressed the common misconceptions about having a skate park.

Mayor Adam Estenson added, “It appears to me you’ve thought this out, a phased approach. If the current location got fixed up a little bit and you could use that as your platform for a proof of concept to say there is an interest and the community can raise that awareness, bring people to that, is that something that you’re considering?”

Moak replied she has been in contact or will be in contact with people about this interest, such as the State Park Superintendent and Youth Alternative’s Barb Rice. 

The conversation concluded with the next steps to see if there is interest in the community. Moak is working with the nonprofit Hot City Outdoor Alliance in potential grant writing or fundraisers. The town council took no action from the conversation, but Mayor Estenson said for Moak to proceed and stay in touch.

Continuing citizen participation, Mayor Estenson recognized sisters Emmy Hergert and Amanda Coxbill, who both expressed their interests in the town’s parks having shade for children and their concerns about taking down trees, such as the recent removal of trees in the Family Park. 

Mayor Estenson explained that the trees in the Family Park are Chinese Elms that were diseased and during a windstorm they fell and crushed a swing set, causing damage and posing a safety risk to children. Estenson added they are planning to plant new trees and provide shading with the new playground equipment. 

Town engineer Anthony Barnett reported that they are soliciting interest from contractors in a chip seal project that will take place on 7th and 8th Streets, where water line work had been done the last few years.