The additional funding needed to construct a skatepark at Delridge Playfield is expected to be available so that the project might move forward.

The Parks Levy Oversight Committee unanimously voted on May 26 to reallocate $250,000 from the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces levy to help fund the Delridge project. Those funds were originally planned for a Myrtle skatespot until that community made it clear that they did not desire a skatepark in their neighborhood.

To finalize the transfer of funds, an ordinance must be drafted and approved by the city council. But with support from both the Levy Oversight Committee and the Skatepark Advisory Council, the Parks Department says it is very likely that money will be used to fund a Delridge Skatepark.

Further funding, $500,000 in surplus levy funds, is also expected to be used towards the skatepark. Dewey Potter, Public Information Manager for Seattle Parks and Recreation, says this money will likely be transferred administratively.

Since new funding was made available, the size of the Delridge Skatepark design has been increased from 10,000 square feet to 12,000 square feet in response to community request.

Local skateboarding advocate Matt Johnston has recommended that any additional space be useful for beginning and intermediate skateboarders. He is also hoping that the project might increase further to 14,000 square feet.

“This will be the first skate park in south or southwest Seattle,” said Johnston. “It is going to be crowded until another park is built in the area. I’m concerned that 12,000 square feet is not going to be enough.”

Project manager Kelly Davidson, is hoping that construction might begin on the park as soon November of this year. While it could take just five months to build, wet whether this winter could cause delays.

A third and final public meeting for the skatepark at Delridge Playfield will be held on June 22, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way S.W.

The designer Grindline will present the schematic design for the skatepark, created from the input received at the second public meeting held in January 2009. A fourth meeting will be scheduled if necessary.

In June 2006, a host of citizens and city departments and other agencies, including Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Seattle Department of Transportation, the Port of Seattle and the Seattle School District, nominated 130 sites throughout the city for the Skatepark Advisory Council to analyze as potential locations for skate facilities. The Delridge Playfield was selected as a park site because it met most of the selection criteria and because it is already a site that enjoys plenty of active recreation.