A portion of Rinehart Park near the Pulaski County Family YMCA will soon be transformed into a skate park. Winamac teenager Clark Gudas took the effort on as an Eagle Scout Project. He told the Winamac Town Council he’s signed a contract with Hunger Skate Parks to begin construction by July 5th.
They will finish approximately 750 square feet of the park by July 19th to fulfill Gudas’ Eagle Scout requirement. He added they will be back to finish the first phase of the park by the end of August. That 2,500 square foot section will be finished this summer at a cost of $57,500. He hopes to eventually double the size of the park as funds allow. Gudas says the finished product will be a quality facility that will last many years.
Gudas is still looking for in-kind donations of equipment and materials to help make the project a reality. Winamac Town Manager Jim Conner offered some fill dirt and the use of a dump truck. Click here for a list of other items Gudas needs for the project.
The council blessed Gudas’ plans, despite two men who came to Monday’s meetings with 104 signatures from residents in the north end of Winamac asking for an alternate location for the park. Council members listened politely to their concerns about the disruption of the peace and quiet in the park, which is easily accessible for handicapped patrons. They told the men permission has already been granted to build there, and it is too late to find a new spot. Furthermore, they stress the playground equipment and other amenities will not be disturbed. The skate park will be located in the grassy area in the southwest corner of the lot. It will be open from sunrise to sunset. As of now, there will not be restrooms there, but a portable facility may be added later if necessary.
