Mehen Memorial Skatepark First Planning Meeting
by Kayrene Brown, New Meadows Correspondent
The Mehen Memorial Skatepark in New Meadows will start taking shape in the spring! Preston Woods opened a Community Meeting at the Historic P&IN Depot on the evening of Aug. 7, 2024. Preston inherited the skatepark project from Rory and Sara Mehen who had championed the cause for the community. He told everyone that it usually takes 5-10 years to raise enough money to build a skate park, but this community has done it in just 3 years, reaching $540,000 as of the date of the meeting.
A six member New Meadows Skatepark Project Board of Directors continue to raise funds for a future roof and bike park. They have hired Grindline, a design/build firm that specializes in concrete, cast in place, skate parks. James Klinedinst from Grindline then began his presentation. James showed pictures of many of the skateparks they have built including Rhodes Park in Boise and told about their design philosophy. “A design produced from the ideas of all stakeholders involved, benefiting the entire community.” This initial meeting was to get input from the community as to what they’d like to see in the skatepark. After the presentation, every person in attendance was asked what kind of features they would like to see. People suggested skate features like bowls and curbs and decorative features relating to logging and the “Golden Heart of Idaho” city seal.
The plan is to incorporate easy elements for those who are learning and more complicated sections for more accomplished skateboarders to graduate to. There will be security cameras on site with wifi and there was discussion about providing for helmets, pads and boards to be available for use. A school club could be formed with a skatepark ambassador to help oversee maintenance of the facility. They discussed having safety rules posted and creating a tribute to Rory and Sara Mehen, the original visionaries.
After Grindline comes up with a concept using all of the suggestions gathered, there will be another meeting held to present it. There is also a survey online that everyone is encouraged to fill out - even if you aren’t a skateboarder. If you’d like to find out more or give your suggestions you can email James at james@grinline.com or call him at (206) 819-9234. He welcomes your input!
