Sikeston city officials, community members meet to discuss skate park

SIKESTON — City of Sikeston officials met with the skateboarding community to discuss ways to improve the skate park in the recreational complex.

Jay Lancaster, director of Sikestons Public Works, shared his thoughts and reasoning with everyone in attendance at the Tuesday, Feb. 27 meeting at the Clinton Building in Sikeston.

“The purpose of why we wanted to get everyone together is to help everybody get on the same page,” Lancaster said. “It’s been a long time since anybody from Sikeston Parks has talked to any of the users in the skatepark. So we decided for us all to get together.”

Jay Lancaster, director of Sikeston Public Works speaks at the skate park discussion meeting Tuesday evening about what are the next steps they can take towards Sikeston Complex skate park. Citizens with in the skateboard community and from the city.( Gina Williams/Standard Democrat)

Located in the Recreational Complex on the corner of Campanella and Stephens Road, Sikeston’s Skate Park first opened in June of 2010.

Lancaster said different groups within the skateboard community do not all want the same things.

Lancaster said not having everyone on the same page makes it difficult for the city and Sikeston Parks and Recreation to move forward, and as a result, the city may choose not to do anything.

“My goal tonight is not necessarily to resolve any and every issue but to start a dialogue, and get us all on the right path,” Lancaster said. “Moving forward, the first and most important thing with any kind of project with the city or county is to be patient.

Lancaster continued: “We have protocols that deal with our budgets, that deal with our spending. If something has to be approved, it may have to go to a park board or a council meeting. One thing I just want to stress is we are a group that wants to get stuff done, but the timelines that we live with may be different than what you live with.”

Apparently there were also some posts made to social media the city was returning or answering email, but according to Abbi Lindsey, recreation coordinator with Sikeston Parks and Recreation, that is false.

“The way we have been portrayed recently is not accurate; I have responded to every email that I have gotten,” Lindsey said. “I have responded to every email that I have received.”

Lindsey reiterated it’s important to be patient because the process is slow. She said she may not always be able to respond to emails immediately, and she may need to check with the city or other officials before responding.  

Lancaster also discussed the importance of long-term maintenance, insurance, safety and fundraising.

Lancaster told the group at the meeting that when they fund-raise, they must ensure the project has received approval and they are not fundraising on behalf of Sikeston Parks and Recreation. 

Citizens from the skateboarding community contributed ideas to improve the skatepark, such as replacing a few missing bolts, removing graffiti, improving lighting and adding some shade by planting trees.

Another member of the skateboarding community suggested adding “non-skateable” benches, while others suggested adding a sign with the rules.

Lancaster concluded the discussion by encouraging the groups to come together and reform a skatepark committee. He instructed them to then compile a list of needs, prioritize them and send it to the city once the group had reached a consensus.