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Grant Park Conservancy Seeks Ideas to Replace Old Skate Park

 The .41 acre skate park that's been in Grant Park since 2006 will soon need to be repurposed, Grant Park Conservancy President Bob O'Neill said.
The .41 acre skate park that's been in Grant Park since 2006 will soon need to be repurposed, Grant Park Conservancy President Bob O'Neill said.
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Grant Park Conservancy

SOUTH LOOP — When the new high-concept Grant Park skate park opens at the end of this year, the old, smaller skate park at Columbus Drive just south of Balbo Avenue will close and will need to be repurposed.

Grant Park Conservancy officials sought public input on what should replace the old skate park at a meeting Tuesday at the Northerly Island field house.

Conservancy President Bob O'Neill suggested options including bocce ball courts, beach volleyball or an expansion of the adjacent dog park or tennis courts, doubling the available courts from six to 12.

"This is an opportunity to do something with that area," O'Neill said. "It's been lackluster for years ... it doesn't really work well as it is."

 Audience members at a June 17 meeting were surveyed for suggestions to repurpose the current .41 acre skate park in Grant Park.
Audience members at a June 17 meeting were surveyed for suggestions to repurpose the current .41 acre skate park in Grant Park.
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DNAinfo/Lizzie Schiffman

The current skate park was built in 2006 in southern Grant Park. The future of the area is "something we need to address," O'Neill said to a crowd of about 50.

O'Neill said there's currently funding for "grass and trees" in that area, but future funding options will depend on programming plans for the nearly half acre skate park.

O'Neill said how the old skate park is used in the future will depend on what the community wants.

"If there's a push for [more tennis courts], I think this is a better location than other parts of Grant Park," he said, "

The public is invited to make suggestions for the old skate park on the conservancy's website.

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