Proposed skate park lands $25,000 donation

A bold blue sign recently placed at Hawthorne Road and East Rodney Drive in Cape Girardeau proudly announces the land as the home of the soon-to-come Skate Cape skate park.

For Chris Hutson, this is a milestone on his path to create a park designed for "boards, bikes and blades."

The old metal ramps at Missouri Park near downtown can be slick and provide little challenge for skaters. Hutson's noticed many choose to skate on roads or parking lots, or drive to neighboring towns with bigger parks. As a skateboarder who spent years teaching his children the sport, the Cape Girardeau native made it his mission to create something better for the city.

It's taken years of planning, studies and coordination with the city. When the SEMO District Fair Board offered use of the land in Arena Park, it marked a win for the park.

Friday's donation of $25,000 from the Cape Girardeau Noon Optimist Club was another tally in the "win" column.

A new sign marks the future home of "Skate Cape" at the corner of Hawthorne Road and East Rodney Drive. (Samantha Rinehart)

"This is awesome," Hutson said Friday, as members of the optimist club, Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Foundation and parks and recreation department gathered in front of the new park sign for the check presentation. The sign also was donated by Sign Master of Cape Girardeau.

"This is it. This is what we wanted," Hutson said.

The donation -- made to the parks and recreation foundation, which will earmark the money for the skate park -- represents a "big kickoff" to Hutson's fundraising efforts, said parks and recreation director Julia Thompson. He said he already has received some private donations, but hopes the news of the large contribution will help give more legitimacy to the efforts.

Trying to convince people to donate to the park when it didn't have a name or location or much publicized support was a tough sell, Hutson said. The latest news could help him reach his fundraising goal.

The project cost is $300,000, including planning and construction. Among the park's features will be a bowl, ramps, stairs, rails and a seating area for spectators. The courses will be made of concrete, which provides better traction for wheels.

The skate park is included in the city's 2015-2020 Capital Improvements Program but in the contingent, or unfunded, portion. Thompson said if Hutson reaches about half of his funding goal, the city may consider matching those funds. Parks officials and city council members have expressed support for the park, noting it could help fill the gap in amenities for older children.

Hutson said part of the plan is "ambiguous," but he's confident things will work out with the park.

"This has been a step-by-step process, but we've come a long way," he said.

Donations of any size are welcome, he added. Those interested may contact the parks and recreation department.

srinehart@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

Hawthorne Road and East Rodney Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Missouri Park, Cape Girardeau, Mo.