Price council considering second skate park complex

By Sun Advocate

Plans to add a second skate park to Price are being considered by the city council as a way to bring more recreation opportunities to youth on the south end of town.
Many youngsters from the southern areas of Price utilize the skate park.
However, getting to the north Price park can be something of a challenge, especially for youth who are too young to drive.
“That little skate park is quite busy,” commented Price community director Nick Tatton. “But some kids, especially the non-drivers, can’t ride a bike to it.”
As a solution, Price city has begun to research the feasibility of adding a second park to the area that would give youth more recreational access.
A possible location for the park, on a corner of the Creekview Elementary property, has already been discussed by the city and the Carbon County School District.
Based on preliminary concept plans, the district has agreed to support the city as it pursues funding.
The cost of adding a second park would be significantly reduced because the city already has the architectural design from the first park, indicated Tatton.
The proposed south Price park would be identical to the design of the facility in the northern part of the city, which Tatton said has already proven to be a usable and safe design.
And the proposed skate park would also allow for free-style bike riders, an allowance that was recently made at the city’s north park.
In August, youth with an interest in adding bike riding to the skate park approached the city council to see if a compromise could be made.
To test the idea, Price city allowed bikers to use the park with the skaters on Thursdays and Sundays.
Although some city officials were worried that the addition could lead to potential problems, the trial period went well and no major incidents resulted from the two groups sharing the space.
So, in the last regular meeting of the Price City Council on Nov. 10, the panel approved the full-time addition of bikes to the park.
Tatton said the south park will most likely accommodate youth who live south of Main Street. But all area youth will be welcome at the park.
If the concept is approved and funds can be secured, Tatton projects that the park will be completed in the next year.
Alternative sports, including skateboarding and free-style riding, have become increasingly popular with youth in recent years.
However, as with any sporting activity, many unintentional injuries can result from participation.
According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 15,600 persons need hospital emergency room treatment each year for injuries related to skateboarding.
Fractures are a frequent type of injury associated with the recreational activity.
Deaths as a result of collisions with motor vehicles and from falls are also reported.
Irregular riding surfaces account for more than one-half of the skateboarding injuries caused by falls.
Wrist injury is the number one injury, usually a sprain or a fracture.
Skateboarders who have been skating for less than a week suffered one-third of the injuries, pointed out the agency.
“When experienced riders suffered injuries, it was usually from falls that were caused by rocks and other irregularities in the riding surface,” pointed out the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Skate boarding parks such as the facility located in north Price can help keep youth safe while they enjoy their hobby.
The National Safety Council offers the following skateboarding insights and tips:
�There are boards with varying characteristics for different types of riding; i.e., slalom, free-style or speed. Some boards are rated as to the weight of the intended user.
�Protective equipment such as closed, slip-resistant shoes, helmets and specially designed padding may not fully protect skateboarders from fractures
But wearing safety equipment can reduce the number and severity of cuts and scrapes.
�Padded jackets and shorts are available for skateboarders, as well as padding for hips, knees and elbows.
Wrist braces and special skateboarding gloves can help absorb the impact of a fall.
�The protective equipment currently on the market is not subject to government performance standards and careful selection is necessary.
�In a helmet, look for proper fit and a chin strap; notice whether the helmet blocks vision and hearing. If padding is too tight, it could restrict circulation and reduce the ability to move freely. Loose-fitting padding, on the other hand, could slip off or slide out of position.
�Give the board a safety check before each ride.
�Always wear safety gear.
�Never ride in the street.
�Obey the city laws. Observe traffic and areas where skating is and is not allowed.
�Don’t skate in crowds of non-skaters.
�Only one person per skateboard.
�Never hitch a ride from a car, bicycle, etc.
�Don’t take chances; complicated tricks require careful practice and a specially-designated area.
�Learn to fall — practice falling on a soft surface or grass. Learning how to fall may help reduce the chances of a serious injury. When balance is lost, crouch down on the skateboard so that it will not be as far to fall. In a fall, the idea is to land on the fleshy parts of the body. If falling, try to roll rather than absorb the force with the arms. Even though it may be difficult during a fall, try to relax the body, rather than go stiff.