Hoyt Park Now Preferred Location For Future Skatepark

The Glasgow City Council met in special session on Jan. 10 to further discuss with the Siding 45 Skatepark committee where the best location would be to build the new proposed skatepark. The proposal that has been presented to the City Council by Siding 45, which is now a designated 501c3, stated they will donate to the City of Glasgow a $300,000 park renovation featuring a professional designed and built concrete skatepark. The park will be owned and insured by the City of Glasgow.

The preferred location for the committee has always been Bundy Park near Irle Elementary School in Glasgow, due to it’s visibility, accessibility to not only usage of the park itself, but also drinkable water and bathrooms, the usable area to work with as well as the diverse usage that can be utilized by the public, where families can congregate for different activities. However, there was much opposition from residents in the Bundy Park area, making their concerns known to Glasgow City Council members. As a result, there was uneasiness regarding fully supporting the skatepark to be located at Bundy Park from the Council.

The work session allowed the members of the Siding 45 committee as well as the City Council to discuss other land and park areas within the city that would be sufficient as a good plan B for a location. President Tess Fahlgren presented the council with a list of nine locations in Glasgow and assigned them points based on their adherence to criteria that makes a successful skatepark for the present and future. Though Bundy Park received the most amount of points, Hoyt Park was a close second, checking off the criteria of accessibility, visibility and diverse usage.

“Hoyt Park has been brought up a number of times, but we didn’t pursue it due to not wanting to get in the way of pool construction or complications due to the hospital’s purchase of the southern portion of the park,” stated Fahlgren in the documentation provided to the council. “Directly behind the pool there is plenty of space for a skatepark, which would create a fun, active park with lots of activities. Downsides include saturated soil, mosquitos, and having to go through the Corps of Engineers, which will slow progress.”

After further reviewing Hoyt Park as the next potential location, the Council made it clear that there would be no problems or concerns with constructions of both a skatepark and a swimming pool. They also stressed that the hospital’s intent to purchase the southern portion of the park is “down the road. It’s just not set,” stressed councilwoman Lisa Koski. Even if it does proceed forward, it wouldn’t have any direct impact on the construction or useability of the skatepark itself.

The City Council members all expressed support for the skatepark to be at Hoyt Park. “Hoyt Park doesn’t have the essential neighbors. It’s already going to be under construction with the pool…I think the fit would be Hoyt Park, behind the swimming pool. You got bathrooms, with the Civic Center and the Pool,” stated Koski. “I also agree with Hoyt Park…You are putting so much more together. I think it’s going to be much easier for parents,” stated Councilman Doug Nistler.

At the proposed site at Hoyt Park, the useable area is approximately 12,500 square feet behind the pool, which is more than the useable area of Bundy Park, which was figured to be 7,500 square feet. After Councilman Ozark clarified the usable area, he exclaimed, “Build it bigger. You have more room if you want to. I mean we’re going to be taking up all that park space anyway, if that’s the choice of the council. It might cost you a couple hundred thousand but if that’s the choice, then I would look at making it bigger. Build it the way you want it. You got more room, you’re not constrained.”

Based upon the proposed location of the skatepark in Hoyt Park, the City Council indicated the committee would need to get approval from the Army Corps of Engineers because the skatepark would be in close proximity to the Levee, which protects the city from Milk River flooding.

No official vote was provided by the Council to move forward with the Hoyt Park location however the consensus from supporters and the council was that the park be built at Hoyt Park, behind the Glasgow swimming pool.