Public invited to weigh in on skatepark plan

Members of the public will have a chance to comment tonight on a proposed citywide system of skateparks that could bring bumps, ramps and other skateable terrain to many Seattle parks.

A city task force has proposed 26 sites for skateboarding around the city, with Magnuson Park hosting the largest one, accommodating as many as 300 users.

The Parks Department has no money earmarked to build these skateparks, but neighborhood groups could seek funding for them if the City Council were to sign off on the plan.

The locations of skating areas within the parks, their design and size would be determined later through a separate public process, according to the proposal.

The City Council formed the 11-member task force in February after determining there were too few public places for skateboarding, a fast-growing sport.

There are two city-owned skateboarding sites in Seattle, one in Ballard and another at Seattle Center, which is soon to be torn down.

An unofficial third site, on East Marginal Way South, was built by skateboarders, and a fourth site, in Wallingford, is privately run.

Under the proposed citywide plan, there would be a mix of small, medium, large and jumbo skateparks. The city does not own four of the 26 sites and would not be able to develop them until it either acquires the properties or reaches agreements with their owners, said Dewey Potter, a spokeswoman for Seattle Parks and Recreation.

For the first time, the Parks Board will hold a public hearing at Town Hall, which is equipped for meetings to be televised on the Seattle Channel, instead of at its headquarters on Dexter Avenue North. "The idea is to make the Parks Board meetings accessible to more people," Potter said.

Sanjay Bhatt: 206-464-3103 or sbhatt@seattletimes.com