Westminster MD Skate Park Documentary

If I am not mistaken, at the Westminster mayor and common council meeting last Monday, it was councilmember Tony Chiavacci that suggested I put this up on the Westminster Community Web site…

The Westminster Skateboard Park is one of the many successes in Westminster. Part of the great success story that is Westminster is the many private-public partnerships and out-of-the-box cutting-edge thinking to make it happen. Enjoy the videos.

Oh, a special hats-off goes to Ron Schroers, the Westminster Recreation director, and Councilman Chiavacci’s Dad, former Council president Roy Chiavacci, for their tireless work on behalf of recreation and parks in Westminster.

For more on the Westminster skateboard story see: 20020408 “Skate parks fill the void” Boris E. Hartl, Carroll County Times Staff Writer

See also: “First Flights for new Westminster Skate Park - Fans and supporters take to the air.” Posted on http://www.explorecarroll.com/ 6/21/09 http://explorecarroll.com/news/3051/first-flights/

Westminster MD Skate Park Documentary Part 1 http://bit.ly/15ESjz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1gmuVsazwQ



Westminster MD Skate Park Documentary 2 http://bit.ly/ilglw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4sUP3fzGDA



20090713 drft sdosm Westminster MD Skate Park Documentary

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/kevindayhoff Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1040426835 Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/ Blip.fm: http://blip.fm/kevindayhoff_soundtrack

Kevin Dayhoff: http://www.westgov.net/ Westminster Maryland Online http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/ http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/

Westminster Common Council Meeting Agenda for June 8 2009

AGENDA

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND

Mayor and Common Council Meeting of June 8, 2009

1. CALL TO ORDER

Mayoral Proclamation – “Skate Day,” June 20, 2009

Tree Commission Presentation – 20 Years

Electronic Holiday Parade Presentation

Special Presentation – City of Westminster Comprehensive Plan – Water

Resources Element and Municipal Growth Element – Thomas Beyard and

Melissa Hynes

2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MAY 18, 2009

3. CONSENT CALENDAR:

April 2009 Departmental Operating Reports

Extension of Police Department Auto Maintenance Agreement

4. REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR

5. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES

6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

a. None as of June 4, 2009

7. NEW BUSINESS:

a. None as of June 4, 2009

8. DEPARTMENT REPORTS

9. CITIZEN COMMENTS

10. ADJOURN

Westminster Council meeting minutes for August 11 2008

Westminster Council meeting minutes for August 11 2008

http://www.westgov.com/citygovernment/minutes/081108.asp

Approved August 25, 2008

City Council

Minutes of City Council Meetings Agenda for next City Council Meeting

Minutes of City of Westminster Council Meeting

August 11, 2008

QUORUM:

A meeting of The Mayor and Common Council was held in the John Street Quarters of the Westminster Fire Company, 28 John Street, on the evening of August 11, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. Mayor Ferguson; Council President Chiavacci; Council Members Albert, Wack, Utz, and Pecoraro; City Administrator Wolf; Chief Spaulding; Director of Public Works Glass; Director of Recreation and Parks Schroers; City Attorney Walsh; and City Clerk Taylor were present. Director of Planning, Zoning and Development Beyard and City Treasurer Unger were excused from attending.

Robin Ford, the developer of the King’s Overlook subdivision, presented the City with a check in the amount of $35,000 for renovation and expansion of the tot lot at King’s Park.

Mayor Ferguson presented a Proclamation to William Ehmann commending him for the award of his Eagle Scout Badge after some fifty years of lost paperwork establishing that he had completed the requirements was found through the efforts of his family. The Mayor next presented Mr. Ehmann with a full-sized flag of the City.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION:

Mr. Schroers introduced the Ad Hoc Committee for renovations to the Westminster Skate Park: Steve Vogel, Bob Lloyd, Jim Marks, Brice Foxwell, Bryan Vana, and Kate Engel. Mr. Schroers added that several of the students and staff at the Career and Vocational Technology had been actively and enthusiastically involved in the planning and design of the center. Mr. Marks and Mr. Vogel summarized the history of the Skate Park and presented the plan for its renovation. They further thanked the students and staffl. Ms. Engel, Principal of the Center, thanked the Mayor and Common Council for the giving students the opportunity to help with the planning and renovations. She noted that they were quite eager to return to school in the fall and resume work on the project. Council President Chiavacci thanked everyone for their involvement and added that he looked forward to the ribbon cutting in the spring. He commended the Committee members for their expertise and dedication.

MINUTES:

Mrs. Albert moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of July 28, 2008. Mr. Utz seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES:

Council President Chiavacci announced that he requested Mr. Pecoraro and Mrs. Albert to serve as the chair and vice-chair, respectively, of the recently re-formed Pennsylvania Avenue Committee. Mr. Pecoraro indicated he would meet with Ms. Wolf the following week to discuss the Committee’s schedule. He remarked that he was pleased by the number of people interested in participating.

Mrs. Albert thanked Mr. Glass for working to resolve the security lighting problems at the Westminster Cemetery.

Mr. Utz thanked Chief Spaulding and his staff for the National Night Out the preceding Tuesday.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Ms. Wolf summarized Resolution No. R08-9, which would approve submission of an application to the Department of Housing and Community Development of the State of Maryland for funding under the Main Street Improvement Program and the Maple Street Initiative. The funding would consist of $12,000 Main Street Improvement funds for new trash receptacles and $15,000 in Maple Street Initiative funds for a “Paint Up, Fix Up” residential façade improvement program. Dr. Wack moved to adopt the Resolution. Mr. Pecoraro seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS:

Council President Chiavacci asked Ms. Wolf to convey the congratulations of the Mayor and Common Council to Mr. Beyard for receiving his Master’s Degree in Business Administration.

Ms. Wolf reported that a meeting with the auditors for the annual audit would take place the next morning.

Chief Spaulding announced that the police would be conducting their first sobriety checkpoint in the City.

Mr. Schroers noted that Fallfest would take place between September 24 and September 28.

Mr. Glass announced that well drilling on the Gesell property began the preceding Wednesday. So far, one well is yielding 250 gallons per minute.

With regard to the road repaving contract, Mr. Glass noted that the bid opening had been rescheduled for September in the hopes that the price of asphalt would improve.

President and C.E.O. of the Westminster Fire Company gave a report on the number of calls responded to in July.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:

City resident Gerald Sheeler spoke in favor of imposing a curfew on minors. He also expressed concern about the expense of obtaining peace orders.

City resident Debbie Hawke asked that consideration be given to increasing the fine for illegal parking in handicapped spaces. Council President Chiavacci responded that the Police Chief and the Public Works Committee would make a recommendation at the next regular meeting.

Council President Chiavacci adjourned the meeting at 8:03 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Laurell E. Taylor
City Clerk

20080811 Westminster Council meeting minutes for August 11 2008

20020408 “Skate parks fill the void” Boris E. Hartl, Carroll County Times Staff Writer

20020408 “Skate parks fill the void” Boris E. Hartl, Carroll County Times Staff Writer

Skate parks fill the void

By Boris E. Hartl, Times Staff Writer
April 08, 2002

Ronald J. Schroers knows the Westminster Skate Park has filled a recreational need in the city since it opened in May 1999.

The city's administrator of recreation and parks also knows, however, that operating a skate park isn't a sure moneymaker.

"I didn't build the skate park to make money," he said. "It was to provide a needed service to the kids."

That's the same attitude shared by Manchester leaders who continue to operate their skate park, but they have yet to recoup their costs.

Manchester officials said their $35,000 skate park, which opened in June 2001, will make money in the future. Finance Director Kelly Baldwin said the town has made about $2,000 from June 20 to Dec. 1. The costs have been kept to a minimum because no full-time staff members have been hired in connection with the park, Councilwoman Mary Minderlein said.

The council could decide in the future whether to hire personnel for the park, she said.

Schroers said a bulk of his operating expenses came from salaries for employees, insurance and maintenance. Last year, Westminster operated the park for $19,000 and generated $13,600.

He said the revenue figures have increased yearly, however. The city did add $19,000 worth of new equipment ranging from a street spine to a kicker ramp in 2000. "I set it up to break even to cover my expenses," Schroers said. "Right now, I'm bare-bonesing it as much as I can."

Westminster Councilman Gregory Pecoraro said the skate park is just one component of the city's recreation program, and officials realize that some programs make more money than others do.

"The point is we are doing a number of things to provide the recreational opportunities that the people of Westminster want. We are providing an opportunity for young people to use skate parks in a place that is safe."

In Mount Airy, town officials have used the revenues generated from the park to make improvements when needed.

"There's no hesitation because the park is making money," Councilman David Pyatt said.

The town used some of the $100,000 officials collected from developers and a $32,000 county award to build the park with 10 ramps and other equipment in 1999.

The town has sold 52 nonresident passes and 13 resident passes which help to contribute to a $3,680 earning so far in 2002, according to Town Hall numbers.

From July 1 to Feb. 28, the town received $19,700 in revenue compared to $6,907 in expenses, but the figure doesn't included wages for the park attendants, since the money is taken from the town's Parks and Recreation budget. In Fiscal Year 2000-2001, the town made $35,574 with $7,852 in expenses.

Councilwoman Laurie V. Hager said it was her opinion that the park is doing well financially because, in part, the town had a large base of people to draw from including those in Frederick County.

"There seems to be a lot of interest in skating and this, in of itself, is a reason for a park," she said.

Carroll County skaters could gain another skating option as Sykesville leaders are looking to build a facility soon.

Between 15 and 20 municipalities in Maryland operate skate parks, said James Peck, director of research for the Maryland Municipal League.

Reach staff writer Boris E. Hartl at 410-751-5902 or bhartl@lcniofmd.com.
©Carroll County Online 2002

19990519 Skateboard Park by Kevin Griffis, Carroll County Times Staff Writer

19990519 Skateboard Park by Kevin Griffis, Carroll County Times Staff Writer

First published in the Carroll County Times Wednesday, May 19, 1999

Skateboard park rolling strong

By KEVIN GRIFFIS, Carroll County Times Staff Writer

By all accounts, Westminster's new skate park has been an overwhelming success, but city officials say they aren't surprised with the demand for the facility.

Skaters are roundly happy with the park, but many want to see its street course expanded.

``The skate park has been received extremely well; we're overly pleased,'' said Ronald J. Schroers, supervisor of Westminster's recreation office.

The park has already sold 40 season passes, good April through October, at $40 a pop and there's been no shortage of daily users who have to pay for a $5 one-day pass, Schroers said.

Westminster Mayor Kenneth A. Yowan joked that the city should franchise the parks.

``Every time I talked with a group of youngsters, whether it was a scout group, a church group or whatever, the subject of a skate park seemed to come up,'' Yowan said.

``Skateboarding is popular and it's not going away. Now youngsters have a place to go and skate without being hassled, a place where they also have to wear the proper safety attire.''

But don't expect to see the 56-year-old mayor on the halfpipe anytime soon.

``I tried it once, 10 or 20 years ago, for about five seconds, and managed somehow to get off without breaking my neck,'' Yowan joked.

Although it's only been open since Friday, some of the problems people predicted the park would have - fights and skaters using loud, abusive language - have not materialized, and Schroers said he doesn't think they will. Even though the skaters often have to wait quite a
while for their turn on the equipment, Schroers said there appears to be an understanding among the park's users.

``There's such camaraderie out there,'' he said. ``These kids have a code of ethics. Yes, they all have to wait, but they're working this thing together.''

Westminster Police Capt. Randy Barnes confirmed Schroers assessment. He said the department has been making patrol checks on the facility and no problems have been reported.

Westminster police headquarters is located less than a block away from the park, on Locust Street.

Early Tuesday afternoon there were already 10 skaters riding the park's halfpipe and small street course. The street course is made up of two mini-ramps and a short, flat obstacle skaters can jump and grind the bottom side of their boards on.

Jesse Peltzer, 17, was one of the best on the course. On one of the two small ramps, he could flip the skateboard underneath him while he turned in the air and find the board with his feet to stop the spin and ride back down the ramp in the opposite direction.

``Yeah, it's pretty rad,'' Peltzer said about the skate park.

It gets a little crowded at times with ``little kids'' just learning how to skate, Peltzer said, but on Tuesday everyone waited politely for their turn.

Michael Cassell, 15, who arrived at the park with Peltzer, said he believes one of the ideas of the people who built the park was to keep people from skating on the streets, but there really isn't enough equipment on the street course to keep everyone off the streets.

To that end, Schroers said there is room at the park to add some equipment, and the street department can make up some ``commercial grade'' obstacles, like grindrails, for the kids to use.

If the interest warrants it, the park can also expand its fenced-in borders, he said.

Yowan said that probably won't happen this year, but the city will monitor activity at the park and, as with any recreational area, decide if the facility should be expanded.

Schroers said the fees have offset the cost of keeping a monitor at the park and said he's already improved the park to keep up with requests from skaters. He added a portable toilet, and on Tuesday he said he was going to have a soda machine installed.

Schroers also issues free passes to parents when their children buy a season ticket.

``I want to keep the parents involved so they can help monitor the park,'' Schroers said.

Right now, he has staffed the skate park with a full-time attendant, but he said during the summer, the facility will be staffed part-time and the attendant will split his time between the city playground and the skate park.

There have been a few injuries, Schroers said, but nothing much different than can be found at any other city recreational facility.

The park is insured by the city's insurance company, LEGIT.

Westminster Dept Recreation and Parks, Westminster Recreation and Parks Skateboard Park, People Natl Internatl Griffis – Kevin Griffis, Media journalists Griffis – see People Natl Internatl Griffis – Kevin Griffis