Executive Summary

The Benton County Skateboarding Alliance, Inc. (BCSA) is an Oregon non-profit corporation formed to raise funds and advocate for the creation of free public skateboarding facilities within Benton County.  On November 15, 2007 the BCSA proposed a 3 phase program of expansion and improvements to the Eric Scott McKinley Skatepark in Corvallis (Corvallis Skatepark) to the Parks Natural Areas and Recreation Board (PNARB).  At that meeting the BCSA proposed to raise 100% of the funds for the project and the PNARB voted to enter into a partnering relationship with the BCSA to facilitate this goal.  The BCSA is now a 501_(c)(3) tax exempt public charity and we are ready to continue the process of seeking the approvals and raising the funds to expand and improve the Corvallis Skatepark.  The BCSA is hereby asking the City of Corvallis (City) to place phase 1 and 2 of our plan on the CIP list.  Placement of our plan on the CIP list will allow the BCSA to solicit grants and corporate donations as a formal City partner.

Our plan for the Corvallis Skatepark includes adding new skateboarding terrain and supporting facilities such as benches, picnic tables, BBQ facilities, lights, signage and low maintenance landscaping.  Our goal for the Corvallis Skatepark is a world class “destination” skateboarding facility that will challenge local skateboarders and other riders in a public space that is family friendly and promotes personal responsibility.  We have designed our plan with these goals in mind and we are confident that as a City partner we can raise the funds necessary to create a world class skateboarding facility in the heart of Corvallis and Benton County.

Phase 1 of our plan is the addition of a swimming pool style vertical skateboarding bowl.  The existing Corvallis Skatepark was specifically designed for beginner and intermediate riders.  The addition of the phase 1 “Corvallis Bowl” addresses the lack of advanced skateboarding terrain and was designed with direct consultation from advanced skateboarders from within and outside of our community.  The BCSA has worked with the City Parks and Recreation Department on identifying locations suitable for the proposed phase 1 expansion.  During a January 22, 2009 meeting with City Parks Planner Jackie Rochefort and Greg Gesher of the City Public Works Department an area was identified to the west of the multi use path under the Highway 34 overpass and exit ramp.  Based on the cost of similar skateboarding facilities in other Oregon communities* we estimate the cost to construct the Phase 1 Bowl at $75,000-$90,000. We anticipate being able to raise the funds necessary for the planning, design and construction of the proposed phase 1 bowl within the next 3 years.

Phase 2 of our plan will improve the existing skatepark by adding new skateboarding terrain, signage, benches, picnic tables, lights, BBQ facilities, trash cans and a skateable memorial to Eric Scott McKinley.  Figure 4 is a conceptual overhead landscape drawing showing a vision of the Corvallis Skatepark with both Phase 1 and Phase 2 facilities in place.  The scope and specific details of phase 2 of our plan will be developed over the next year with additional public and City input.   Phase 2 of our plan will effectively give the existing skatepark a “face lift” in both usability and aesthetics in order to elevate the Corvallis Skatepark to a world class park facility and a reflection of the high standard of livability that makes Corvallis a great city to live in and visit.

* The BCSA recognizes that the skateboarding community is a very diverse community including casual users.  All data presented in this document was referenced from United States Census Data, City of Corvallis Parks and Recreation Department, www.skateoregon.com and the “Public Skatepark Development Guide” Authored by Peter Whitley, 2007 available through Skaters for Public Skateparks: P.O. Box 14312, Portland, OR 97293.