The Las Cruces Skatepark Coalition has come together over the course of the last couple of years to push for a brand new skatepark for Las Cruces. After several city council meetings, displays of public/community support, awareness building and working with officials and Las Cruces Parks And Rec, a budget of $3 million was proposed: $2 million for a new park and $1 million. This fell in line with what we all wanted to do initially.

On January 26th, 2020, we took a group of local skaters up to the Capitol and lobbied our senators and legislators for the $3 million on the C.I.P for our skateparks. Shortly thereafter the votes on the budget came back in. Our budget ended up being $845,000, which was allocated for the re-furb of the old park, and $100,000 for the completion of a new park. 

Moving forward: an assessment, found here: https://www.las-cruces.org/DocumentCenter/View/5893/Las-Cruces-Skate-Park-Assessment-2020?bidId= was carried out by American Ramp Company during summer and fall of 2020. The assessment included 2 options based on refurb (pages 42 & 43), and here is a quick/basic rundown on each:

OPTION 1: right at $1 million, leave the flatbottom, demo/build new/improve      everything else in park, cheapest option, most likely the quickest to attain, building "quasi new" park on old concrete.

OPTION 2: $1.5 million, demo and replace just about everything, new design input, still building on old ground, have to find options for park users while skatepark under construction, longer process, have to find more money.

ENTER OPTION 3

Our representative met with Las Cruces Parks and Rec, City Council, other city representatives and Mayor Miyagishima las Friday. The mayor proceeded to suggest that we use the money for a new park, citing longevity and quality of construction as notable concerns, as we would not be building on old ground and weathered features, rather we would start from scratch on a new piece of land. Other officials like the idea as well. We liked the idea too. We had concerns on how to go about switching the money and how to fill in the "gap" however we have been re-assured that if we can gain support from the community and show that in the next meetings, that it would be very feasible to move forward with a completely new build.

We are grateful to have received money from the state for this and look forward to working with our officials and community to make the best possible decision.

So we are presenting OPTION 3: use all the money towards a brand new park on a new piece of land, keep existing skatepark open. 

If you all would like us to push forward with option 3 for a new park, give the petition a share and a sign!!