Hoffman Estates Park District officials are asking local youths to help them design a proposed skate park.
Skateboarders and in-line skaters are invited to attend a free outing from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday to the Jewett Park Skate Plaza in Deerfield, a facility recently built by the Park District in that community. Participants will be asked their opinions of the ramps and rails.
An outdoor skate park has been proposed for the Willow Recreation Center at Lexington Drive and Algonquin Road in Hoffman Estates.
“The kids are going to be using the area. We want them to enjoy it and have things in it that they want to see,” said Scott Elman, director of planning and development for the Park District.
The Deerfield skate park has 10,000 square feet of various features that appeal to skaters. It closes at dusk and is behind the police station at Deerfield and Waukegan Roads.
“We don’t light it because we don’t want to encourage people to be out there after dusk,” said Dan Elkins, recreation supervisor for the Deerfield Park District. “It’s a public park, just like any other park. The police patrol it, so if there is anyone on it after dark, they go down and tell them they’re going to have to leave.”
Deerfield officials said the park, which cost about $170,000 to build, has attracted hordes of young people since it opened in August. Ideas were sought from local high school and junior high school students before the Park District decided on a design.
Those interested in attending Saturday’s trip should meet at 8:45 a.m. at the Willow Recreation Center, 3600 Lexington Drive, Hoffman Estates. The bus is scheduled to leave at 9 a.m. The outing is limited to 50 people. For information, call 847-885-7500.
