Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent
Plans are in place to reopen the Gordon Noren Skate Park in Clintonville.
The park at 55 E. 12th St. was closed more than a year ago after it was decided that it was unsafe due to the condition of the equipment, such as the ramps and railings.
Justin McCuly, city park and recreation director, recently told the Common Council that he was able to find some surplus equipment in good shape.
The council approved spending $10,028 for the equipment. The money will come from a recreation center building fund and will be paid back.
“Kids have been asking, ‘When will we get our skate park back?’ They are going to be very surprised,” Mayor Judith Magee said.
Police Chief Terry Lorge said the skate park was used by lots of kids when it was open. He donated the use of his trailer to get the new equipment.
The park is named after Gordon Noren, the driving force behind the park’s creation in the late 1990s. He passed away in 2013.
Noren built the first ramp in his garage with materials donated by the Lions Club. The city then provided a fenced-in area on the paved portion of the Old Armory parking lot for the skaters.
To help bring back the skate park, Polly Goodell, Noren’s daughter, donated money she had received in her father’s memory to the city and earmarked it for a new skate park. So far she has donated $1,470.
Alderperson Glory Dunlavy said the Lions Club has donated $2,500 toward the new equipment.
No date has been set for the reopening.