Skate park design on target

MINDEN - Douglas County's skate park should soon be on the drawing board.

The county commission is expected to OK a design contract today with Minden-based Lumos & Associates. The firm will be paid $30,500 to design the skate park, which will be located at Lampe Park in Gardnerville.

The facility is planned for an open lawn on the south side of the park, between the tennis courts, a parking lot and the playground. Construction costs are estimated at $150,000.

The Carson Valley Skaters, one of the groups that lobbied heavily for the park, have recommended a consultant who has designed skate parks in South Lake Tahoe and Southern California. The consultant, Airick Valenzuela, will work with Lumos.

Dan O'Sullivan, owner of Ballistic Board Supply in Gardnerville and a founder of the Skaters, said members are anticipating a well-designed park that is better than any in surrounding areas.

"(Valenzuela) has designed a lot of good parks and he listens to skateboarders," said O'Sullivan. "We pretty much know what we want in the park.

"It's going to be a lot better than Carson's skate park. They weren't very space-efficient. This park's going to be a lot better and have better obstacles."

Community Services Director Scott Morgan, who oversees the parks and recreation departments, said the design process is expected to take three months, with construction to start in four.

He said the department will probably host one big meeting to gather comments on the design before turning the process over to the designers.

The county parks and recreation commission and Lampe Park's neighbors will then be able to comment on the proposed design.

Morgan said the actual construction time will depend on securing permits and other approval from the county.

"The only thing we're shooting for is a late summer completion," he said.