Skateboard Park Gets Go A Head
 
Ironwood - Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Story and photos by Arvo Toolanen

The long, long awaited skateboard park has come one step closer to being a reality. Maybe. The  only missing ingredient in the mix is the twenty thousand dollars the city approved for the project and never heard of again.

Last summer, the city council approved the civic improvement plan which included $20,000. for the skate board park. In fact, the item was stated to be a top five priority in the CIP. In the photo above, four versions of the equipment were presented to the kids, who over whelming chose, with minor changes the layout shown at the  bottom left.
Last night two meetings in the Memorial building centered around the skateboard park. Late in the afternoon, an informational meeting was held in the Community Development  Board Room. Only three youngsters turned out to participate in selecting the equipment for the new park.  Older kids had already given their input.
When asked about a name for the park the kids suggested "Hiawatha Park" but later at the Parks & Recreation meeting the kids choice was abandoned to "more adult considerations" One has to wonder why do they ask the kids for their input only to dismiss them out-of-hand. 
The skateboard park was approved last night by the parks and recreation committee (formerly called Parks, Recreation and CULTURAL ENRICHMENT committee. To no one's surprise the words  "cultural enrichment" were removed from the name.

According to the figures provided by Scott Erickson the financing will consist of $10,000 received from the Ironwood Hurley Rotarians, $10,000 grant emanating from the Tony Hawk Foundation.  Four thousand dollars was raised by the kids through  local fundraising.

Additionally, there will be a $10,000 match to the Tony Hawk Grant by way of a discount from the Missouri based manufacturer American Ramp Company.
Shown below are the photos and story relating to last June's equipment demo at bottom of page is a description of the equipment to be purchased from A.R.C.
 

Last June's Skateboard Park Demo
Wednesday June 18th
In the continuing saga of Ironwood's proposed skateboard park, today might be viewed as a step forward. American Ramp Company from Missouri brought a sampling of their equipment for a try out. Although a good number of kids turned out for the event only a few tried out the ramps. Most kids showed up without the required parent liability release.
American Ramp if chosen as the vendor for the park will match one of the grants already awarded for the park. So far the kids have held fund raisers and two grants have been received.

The only problem is the city has failed to produce one cent of the money it has promised for the park. The city is waiting for the revenues it expects to receive from the proposed  100% Tax Abated Hovey Low-Income Housing Project . It might interest our readers to know that the skate park is on the city improvement plan as a low priority "3" and the Library renovation plan that was just rejected by taxpayers in a 2-1 landslide vote, has been put back in the city improvement plan as a high priority "1".  Perhaps we should ask American Ramp Company to design some ramps disguised as "BOOKS" that way we may finally get a skateboard park.
 
 
 
 
 

Skateboard Park Demo
American Ramp Company makes three different series of equipment. They brought a long a sample of each type.

 

The Pro Series (photos above)

THICK 3/16” LASER CUT FRAMEWORK
By using technology like a laser table to cut our thick framework we are able to hold incredibly tight tolerances. This ensures that each ramp section fits together perfectly for a seamless feel and appearance.
TAMPER-RESISTANT STAINLESS STEEL HARDWARE
All the hardware that is used is stainless steel and the pinned-hex head bolts ensure that they are only removed when you decide
HOT-DIP GALVANIZED COPING/GRINDRAILS
The galvanized coating ensures that even after years of grinding these areas will still look great and be free of rust.
THICK 3/16” STEEL RIDING SURFACE
This surface is guaranteed not to crack, dent, chip, warp, or ever need replacing. Combine this with the corrosion protection of galvanizing and the perfect traction of the MaxGrip™ paint and it is easy to see why this surface is the maintenance departments dream come true.
13-GAUGE GALVANIZED SOLID STEEL ENCLOSURES
Our thick steel enclosures are galvanized before they are powder coated to ensure maximum corrosion protection. What more can be said…we build a tank!
BEVELED LEADING EDGE
We take an extra step and bevel down the leading edge to make the transition so smooth the rider glides on and off the ramps.
NO APPROACH PLATE SEAM
Because the riding surface itself serves as the transition from the ramp to the concrete, there is no need for a separate approach plate. When an approach plate has to be used, it creates a seam that runs perpendicular to flow of traffic, which can be bothersome and even unsafe if the materials shift over time.
MAXGRIP™ POLYESTER POWDERCOAT
We have done extensive research to formulate a paint that provides the perfect traction for the action sports industry. The MaxGrip™ surface is applied on top of the galvanized ramp sections creating the ultimate combination in corrosion protection.
VERTICAL BALUSTER GUARDRAILS
Hot-dip galvanized steel guardrails are not only tough and corrosion resistant, but the vertical design will increase visibility, allow airflow, and minimize the likelihood of climbing.
10-GAUGE PLATFORM GUARDS (optional)
The solid panel design provides the same level of safety as our vertical baluster design with a different look.
FASTENER FREE RIDING SURFACE
Since all the welding is done from the underside of the ramp, there are no fasteners needed to attach the riding surface. The result is a smooth ride without the worries of screws backing out, which create hazardous riding conditions and increased maintenance.

 

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