City council OKs skate park Suitable site

must be found

By CHRIS VETTER

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- New Ulm youth can look forward to showing off their skating skills at an outdoor park designed for roller skating, in-line skating and skateboarding later this year.

The New Ulm City Council unanimously approved up to $7,000 Tuesday for an engineering study for a skate park. The site of the park has not yet been determined.

"I think what people should know is this is a 'go,'" said Councilor Clark Tuttle III. " It's not if we are going to build the park, but where."

Approximately 40 teen-agers and some parents attended the meeting. They applauded when the funding resolution passed.

Stephen Hines, 15, said he and his friends have worked on securing financing for the park for about a year. The group, Skate Park Inc., has raised about $8,500.

"I think it's great they are finally getting moving on this," Hines said.

Rod Sanchez, president of Skate Park Inc., was pleased with the council's action.

"We're looking for more support," Sanchez said. "This is going to be a beautiful park."

A skate park is estimated to cost $100,000. The skating club must raise $10,000, which will allow the organization to secure a $5,000 grant from the New Ulm Area Foundation. The city will pick up the remaining $85,000 tab, under the current plans.

Jeff Longworth, 15, said he and several friends have worked on drafts for possible skate park designs, which will be forwarded to the engineering firm.

"We'll have to help somehow, because I don't know if they know what we're looking for," Longworth said.

Councilor Ron Fleischmann, who brought the proposal before the council, said he is pleased with the city's support of the park. He also was happy that so many teens came to the meeting to demonstrate their support for the park.

"My goal is to build this (park) this year," Fleischmann said. "And that seems to be the consensus of the council. I look forward to breaking ground this year."

Council President Dan Beranek said he does not have a timetable for presenting the blueprints to the council or for its construction.

One of the big remaining questions is the park's location. The Park and Recreation Commission recommended placing the skate park near Vogel Arena. However, engineers have questioned the stability of that ground for a park with a lot of cement work. A more likely location appears to be North Park, South Park or by the existing BMX bike track, councilors agreed.

Sanchez said he and his group do not have a preference on the final location.

"We'll go there to skate, wherever it is," Sanchez said.

The Park and Recreation Commission will now look for a new site and bring the recommendation back to the council.

Fleischmann said that no jump or dip at the park will be greater than three feet. By limiting the height of the jumps, the park will not affect the city's insurance policy, Fleischmann said, citing sources within the League of Minnesota Cities.

Railroad discussion

The council expressed concerns about the proposed expansion of the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern railroad and the proximity of a staging yard along Shag Road, less than two miles from city limits.

Councilors agree that the proposed staging yard, with its proximity to the Minnesota River and the city limits, poses some concerns.

"It seems to me a better location would be between New Ulm and Sleepy Eye," said City Manager Dick Salvati. "From an environmental standpoint, that is where trains could be diverted without affecting a large population."

The council will attempt to arrange a conference call with Kevin Schieffer, DM&E president. The plan is to suggest the railroad look at a site west of town.

"We will make a friendly suggestion that there are options better for them and better for us," Fleischmann said.

There are currently two possible locations for the staging yard: the Shag Road site southeast of New Ulm and another site closer to Mankato, near Minneopa State Park. The federal board reviewing the proposed expansion has indicated the Shag Road site is the preferred location.

However, Brown County Commissioners wrote a letter last month asking the federal board to remove New Ulm as a possibility for the staging yard, saying the outdoor rail yard should be at the Mankato site.

Salvati said the council could write a letter to the federal board showing support for the Brown County Board's position.

The council has not yet decided if an official city position will be taken on the matter. That action could occur after the phone interview with Schieffer.

"I don't know which way we'd come down on this," said Councilor Joel Albrecht.

In one final note, the councilors approved the name of the new ballpark in town. It will be named "Mueller Park." There is no reference to Artstone, which previously operated a manufacturing facility on the site.

Beranek said he will contact Artstone officials and ask if they are interested in erecting a marker noting the company's history at that location.