Plans for a skate park in Orion Township may get rolling again.
The possibility of a park dedicated solely to skateboarding, like ones in nearby Auburn Hills and Ortonville, were explored back in 2005. But any progress had since grinded to a halt.
The skate park that was proposed at Stonegate Park at Dutton and Squirrel roads in 2005 had an estimated cost of $215,000.
That project has since fizzled, but at their regular meeting on April 6, the township board voted 7-0 in favor of sending the issue to the capital improvement committee.
The issue is slated to come before the board again the first week in June, after the committee has time to get more information and hash out the costs.
A story in The Lake Orion Review on March 25 explored the clash between skateboarders and local law enforcement and business owners, especially in the village, where on any given sunny day teens on boards seem as prevalent as pedestrians.
The report drew the attention of Orion Township Trustee Mark Crane, who got the topic on the township board’s agenda for discussion.
‘They (skateboarders) will be safer and they will be getting less in the way in terms of using parking lots and creating headaches for business owners and our police officials,? said Crane.
While the previous plan looked at locations in the township, Crane said the village would probably be the best place for a skate park.
‘From my vantage point, most of the skate boarding I’ve seen has taken place up in the village,? he said. ‘It’s probably best to place this where they already are. If you place it somewhere in the village, the substantial number of the kids who are interested in this activity can get there on foot, on bike or on skateboard.?
Mike Toth, a village councilman and member of both the township and village park and recreation committees, agreed.
‘I was walking downtown today and saw kids skating,? Toth said. ‘I don’t think we have that in the township parks as much.
Toth stressed the project should be something the township and village should join forces on.
‘The idea is to do it together,? he said.
Van Tassel, a trustee and the village’s former manager, said that the village parking lot on the southeast corner of Lapeer and Elizabeth streets had been looked at in the past.
The north lot belongs to the village; the rest is part of the Angel Center.
‘I think there are some other locations conveniently located near or in the village that might be better,? Van Tassel said. ‘I think it’s something the township should move forward on.?
Van Tassel also hinted that Orion could be the home to two skate parks. The recreation master plan has an area of Civic Center Park set aside for a skate park.
Toth stressed that the project not get lost in committee.
While the township has successfully moved forward on the amphitheater project, Toth said that only appeals to a particular segment of the population.
‘The skate park appeals to kids who have never had the opportunity to have a place. They’re kind of neglected,? Toth said. ‘They’re given the image of being bad kids or troubled, and they’re not. They’re very creative and innovative. I’d like to give them a place to go so they’re not looked at as criminals, or think of themselves as against the police.?