The Belgrade Regional Parks, Trails and Recreation District board heard a staff analysis on potential skate park sites during its May 7th meeting. Parks Staff Director Jordan presented a memo evaluating three main factors—park size, proximity to homes and other uses, and geographic distribution of youth amenities—to identify suitable locations for a 5,000-square-foot facility. Two parks emerged as top candidates alongside the existing Lewis and Clark Park site: Jerry Askin Park on the south side, which offers bathrooms and a large parking lot but has limited space that could conflict with existing bandshell programming, and Corbett Park in the Prescott Ranch subdivision to the northwest, which features an underutilized field and residential buffer but would require removing field space from potential future sports use.
Board members raised concerns about both locations. Joe Bernhardt suggested Jerry Askin would feel "cramped" given its existing amenities and asked about an 11-acre unimproved parcel in the Ashton Meadows subdivision, though board members noted that site lacks surrounding infrastructure and may be three to five years from development. Discussion also touched on whether converting Corbett's field would leave the northwest side without adequate open space for youth soccer and other field sports. Jordan recommended the board take time to evaluate the options while he consults with a skate park organizer relocating from the Kalispell-Whitefish area who may provide professional design input and contacts.
In other business, Jordan reported the parks crew is now at full staffing with a new hire and the foreperson returning from parental leave. Splash pad repairs are underway, a damaged batting cage at Smith Field has been repaired, and approximately 90 summer events are listed on the CivicRec website. The farmers market vendor registration deadline is May 15th, with the market opening June 18th. The district has formalized a contract with For the Future Sports for youth athletics programming.