The Town of Bracebridge is enlisting the help of local skateboard and BMX enthusiasts in the design of a state-of-the-art skateboard park.

A community skateboard park design workshop is being held in the upper auditorium of Bracebridge Memorial Arena on Thursday, April 17 at 6 p.m. for youth, families and interested individuals that would like to have a voice in the planning stages of the park.

Those interested in attending are asked to confirm their attendance to Bracebridge culture and recreation at 645-3037.

Town recreation staff and project consultant Bill Gurney of LANDinc Landscape Architects of Toronto will present skatepark designs from other communities and explain some of the emerging trends in the sport.

“The town’s goal is to create a park that will be safe, lots of fun and will have components designed to help skateboarders and BMX bikers develop their skills and progress to the next piece of equipment,” said project co-coordinator Trish Conley-Knight. She stressed the town wants to ensure that those with a passion for skateboarding and BMX bike riding have a say in the park’s design. The number of design meetings will depend on the outcome of the first meeting, she said.

The park, to be located south of the arena, off James Street, will replace the one lost as a result of the development of Jubilee Park by Nipissing University and Georgian College.

The total cost of the project will not be known until the design is completed and tenders received. No construction start date has yet been projected.

“I’m so excited about the creation of this new skatepark that I’m tempted to go out and buy my own skateboard,” said Bracebridge councillor and chair of the culture and recreation committee Graydon Smith. “We are very fortunate to have the support of council to move forward with this important recreation infrastructure in Bracebridge. It demonstrates our commitment to getting youth active by providing them with a park we know they’ll use.”