Franklin Skate Plaza Grand Opening
The City of Franklin will officially open its Skate Plaza in Franklin on Sept. 16 at 10 a.m. The Skate Plaza is located at Jim Warren Park on Boyd Mill Avenue.
In 2005, the City of Franklin commissioned Site Design Group, Inc. to develop a plan for the skate park using ideas generated during a public forum. Stated Lisa Clayton: “We wanted to get as much input as possible from skaters and skateboarders who have been asking for a Skate Park in the City for a long time. We had citizens from ages 12 to 72 offering their opinions on what should or should not be included; it was all very helpful and I think they’ll be happy with the results.”
The concrete Skate Plaza was designed to meet two sets of challenges: transitional and street skating. The 16-foot kidney-shaped skate bowl creates a challenge for the advanced transitional skater. The bowl transitions from a seven- foot vertical to an eleven-foot deep well. The Plaza contains four staircases with hand rails, five ramps, and over 100’ of ledges. The Plaza was designed to allow all ages and levels of expertise to enjoy the open space concrete park.
Members of the design team are also proud of the Plaza and commend the community for taking an active role in its design and construction. Says Colby Carter, Designer and Construction Manager, “The Jim Warren Skate Plaza and kidney bowl together create an amazing place for skateboarding that accommodates street and bowl skaters of all ages and skill levels.”
Brad Siedlicki, Designer and Project Manager for the Plaza stated: “It was a pleasure working with the locals to create this timeless design for today and tomorrow’s skaters.”
Funding for the 15,000-square-foot Skate Plaza was due in part to a grant obtained from the State as part of the Local Park and Recreation Fund (LPRF). The City was awarded a $100,000 matching grant in July. Construction for the Plaza began in March.
The Skate Plaza will be open daily from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. Rules for using the Plaza will be posted at the park and must be followed. Rules include: the requirement of helmets; skateboards & in-line skating only; and bicycles & scooters are not allowed.
The grand opening for the City of Franklin Skate Plaza will be Sept. 16 at 10 a.m. Festivities that day include exhibitions by the Sixth Avenue Skate Park (in Nashville) and the inline skate team from “Asphalt Beach.” Everyone is invited to attend.
For more information, call 794-2103.
