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Efforts for a skate park in Kearney may have gained momentum recently.

After months of research, a group has presented a plan to the Kearney Park Board and Kearney Rotary Club.

The plan details survey results, a zoning map with an ideal location, skating hazard statistics and a list of reasons for a local skate park.

The group that pitched this plan has no members older than 11 years old.

The fifth-grade Beyond Basics class at Dogwood Elementary School started working on the plan in September for the FIRST Lego League competition later this month.

After making presentations to these groups, the city and private organizations are looking for ways to fund the project, estimated to cost at least $35,000 for the base concrete. The total project could cost around $100,000.

The presentation to the city’s park board and local Rotary Club were just practice rounds. The presentation was prepared for a presentation Feb. 27 in Lee’s Summit against about 60 other school groups. The challenge for this year’s teams was to address transportation issues.

The group of 10 students in the class — of which only one skateboards — noticed skateboarding was a popular activity around Kearney. The students researched some statistics about injuries associated with skateboarding on the street — 50,000 skaters need hospital treatment each year — and determined children need a safe place to skateboard.

Then the group surveyed other students in the school district. They had 573 surveys completed by students — at all levels. The survey showed that nearly 71 percent of students do not skateboard, but 48 percent said “yes” and 32 percent said “maybe” they would try skateboarding if there were a skate park in Kearney.

The Beyond Basics class also picked out a spot for the skate park. The students suggested the city-owned land adjacent to recycling drop off, across the street from the Kearney High School tennis courts.

Based on the scale model the students built — and showed to the groups — they said it would fit in that space. They also noted that there is access via walking trails already, in a central location of the city and visible from the road (for police patrolling).

Eric Marshall, Kearney parks director and Rotary member, told the group its presentation was well received by the Park Board.

“We’re going to see if we can come up with some funds,” Marshall told the students at the Thursday, Jan. 28, Rotary luncheon.

The students had given the same presentation to the park board on Tuesday, Jan. 19.

“The things you have come up with basically saves a lot of the planning,” Marshall said.

Marshall and other Rotary members said they have been talking about a skate park in Kearney for about three years but have never got as far along in the process as these students.

“This is just the first step,” Marshall said.

Funding is the next big hurdle. The Rotary Club talked about finding some funds or possibly having a fundraiser specifically for a skate park.

Craig Fischer, Rotary Club and Optimist Club member, said he recalled Optimist Club having some money possibly set aside for a skate park.

For more about the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Lego League competition, visit www.firstlegoleague.org.

Kearney Editor Kevin M. Smith can be reached at 628-6010 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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