A new park area may be constructed near Brookside Park for skateboarders and in-line skaters who currently skate on public and private properties.

The idea for the skate park began as a result of the growing popularity of skateboarding and in-line skating both nationally and locally, said Nancy Carroll, director of Ames Parks and Recreation.

Carroll said because the State of Iowa finally has dealt with the liability issues of skating on city property, the idea of a skate park in Ames is much more plausible.

“The state has made it so that skating on city property is no different than … swimming at a municipal pool,” she said.

The park site has not yet been approved, but Carroll said she hopes to have it located on the south side of Sixth Street adjacent to Brookside Park, 1325 Sixth St.

“Right now, we are reviewing the entire parks system to find advantages of different sites,” she said. “So far, Brookside has proved the most advantageous.”

Barry Nadler, an Ames attorney, owns T-Galaxy, 206 Welch Ave., a location where many skaters tend to loiter. He said the proposed site has many advantages.

“The site isn’t near a lot of houses, but there is plenty of traffic there so it will have high visibility,” Nadler said. “It is also in a centralized location and on a bus route so kids in all parts of the city have access to it.”

The park will have several features similar to those found in front of the U.S. Postal Service’s Welch Avenue Station and T-Galaxy or Parks Library where many skaters congregate.

“These places are very inappropriate places,” Carroll said. “The park will be in a safer and more conducive location.”

Nadler said pedestrians, cars and skaters are not a good mix.

“I really think the park will have a positive effect not only on my business but other businesses in Campustown as well,” he said.

Nadler is leading the private fund-raising effort and is in the preliminary stages of fund raising for the park already. Fund raisers currently are waiting to hear from Rotary International about a $25,000 grant to build the base for the skate park. After the base is constructed, ramps will be next on the agenda.

Once the grant is confirmed, fund raisers will then begin to collect funds locally.

Carroll said she also hopes local businesses and skaters who would use the park will assist in the fund raising.

“I would think that the businesses would want to donate to get the skaters off of public places,” she said. “I really hope [the skaters] take ownership and pride in the park by helping with the fund raising, too.”

Carroll said she predicts the park will cost anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000.

“Because of the cost, we may be looking at a phased project here,” she said. “We could start the park off with what we raise in the beginning, and if the funds keep coming and the interest stays high we could add on in phases.”