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Skatepark demonstration ramps up interest level for skateboarders
By Oakley Brooks
Saratoga young people got their first taste of a movable skatepark that city officials are hoping to purchase by the end of the school year.
Ball Hitch Ramps, the Saratoga-based company that builds portable parks and has an offer before the city, towed several ramps, boxes and a platform trailer into the Civic Center parking lot on April 3 for a test run.
A pack of students from in and out of Saratoga--some of them sponsored riders brought in by Ball Hitch--pounded the ramps for almost four hours that afternoon.
The reviews were good, for the most part.
"It's pretty sweet," said Michael Emami, 14. "I think it'll keep us occupied this summer."
The layout April 3 was only about one-third of what Ball Hitch is recommending to the city council.
Ball Hitch's Craig Smith said that regardless of what the city ends up purchasing, kids will flock to the new park.
"I take a small ramp out to the corner and there's 40 kids out there lining up to ride it," said Smith, at the edge of the Civic Center parking lot sporting a pair of dark shades. "Every other kid has a skateboard now."
The city council has given unanimous support for a new park, although it has not yet appropriated money for it. Ball Hitch's latest proposal would cost $20,685.
Last week's test run also gave city staff a first look at issues of safety equipment and rule enforcement. Although there were a few glitches over convincing skaters to wear arm gear, the city had helmets for rent, which allowed most board owners to use the park.
Estimates for a staff member assigned to the skatepark for the summer and on weekends during the school year run at $14,600.
If and when the skatepark is up and running this summer, watch for updates on its revolving location in the Saratoga News.
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