With three skateboards “parked” just inside the entrance to Cloquet City Hall, it was easy to deduce what kind of meeting was taking place last Thursday evening.More than a dozen skateboarders ranging in age from preteen through guys in their 20s — and one girl — discussed different design ideas for the city’s proposed skatepark, which will be located inside Athletic Park at the corner of Prospect Avenue and 14th Street (where the smallest soccer players have games in the fall right now). They were led through the process by consultant Kanten Russell, a project manager at Stantec design firm and former professional skateboarder who is working with the city to develop a plan for the skatepark.The skateboarders were joined by parents, city officials and Ward 2 Councilor David Bjerkness, who said he came to hear what neighbors had to say — a letter went out from the city to neighbors, but none showed — and learn more about what is being planned for the park in Ward 2.“I think that (the neighbors’) is an important voice to hear too,” Bjerkness said.

On Thursday, however, it was all skateboarders, all the time.To begin, Russell presented a slideshow of different skateparks, large and small, designed by Stantec in addition to three different design options for the proposed $300,000 skatepark (which sounds like a large sum of money but isn’t when it comes to the world of outdoor skateparks).Right now, Russell explained, the skatepark is only in the conceptual design phase, so he wanted lots of local input and ideas for making the Cloquet skatepark unique. If and when a conceptual design is approved, the consulting firm would create final construction documents.“Hopefully, we could start construction next year,” he told the enthusiastic audience.Next Russell had the skateboarders and a couple parents divide into small groups and work on their own designs for the park, keeping in mind the size constraints of the 105x30-foot site.After probably a half hour of talking and drawing, the different groups presented their ideas.Ryan Hawkinson, 12, was one of the youngest presenters, but offered a variety of ideas and a lot of enthusiasm.

Right now, he said he and his buddy, Sam Remus, 12, mostly skate on ramps at Sam’s house and get permission to skate on their neighbors’ driveways.“I’m really excited about the skatepark,” Hawkinson said after the meeting. “I think I’ll like having it all there in one spot.”Matt Anderson and Cloquet High School sophomores Brady Hall and Caden Lindvall were the last group to present, and offered some unusual suggestions in addition to the usual “banks” (embankments), “street” features like railings and ledges (to emulate an urban plaza area), and “transitions,” which involve skateboarders moving from the horizontal (on the ground) to the vertical (on a ramp or curved wall or other incline) and performing tricks. Among their suggestions were incorporating logs into the exterior design, perhaps in a wall, and a feature in the shape of an ax, since Cloquet is the Lumberjacks.Anderson has been advocating for a new skatepark since 2010 or before, since the last one was closed down when there was some criminal activity at the park.

The now 26-year-old drove five hours to make the meeting.“I do think it will happen now,” he said, “as long as we can keep the momentum up and meetings like this continue to happen.”The meeting Thursday was a family affair for Anderson, whose mother and younger brother, Zack, 24, were also there.Matt Anderson said a new skatepark will benefit more than just the skating enthusiasts.“Lounge Furniture Event RentalsI think the skatepark will serve a different, wider variety of people [than the existing athletic fields and parks in the city],” he said. Best Buy Laptop Asus Coupons“When you go to skateparks, you see older skaters there with younger ones, parents and kids who don’t skate just watching. Leaky Faucet Handle Bathroom

People are drawn to them. There’s a real social aspect.”Growing up in Cloquet, Anderson said he would head to the skatepark and meet his friends.“We’d teach each other tricks and talk about the day,” he said. “It helped me and my friends develop socially and physically, which is just another reason I think skateboarding is so well rounded.”Anderson said Cloquet has potential to design a skatepark that would be unique to the area, because the city isn’t constrained by the same insurance constraints on height that cities insured through the League of Minnesota cities are.Russell also said Stantec will hold a webinar on grant writing and fundraising for skateparks, which will include tips from some of the more successful efforts they’ve been associated with.Back to School Backpacks Shop New Sheet Sets Mustang 50th Anniversary UVS100 Custom Sunscreen Ford Logo UVS100 Custom Sunscreen Flex Shade UV Windshield Sunscreen Why use a Sunscreen in your car?

Sometimes called heat shields, sun shields or UV shields, sunscreens are useful at the beach, work, airport or anywhere you park. Not only are they effective at blocking out harmful UV rays, they can significantly reduce the amount of heat build up inside your car, truck or SUV by reflecting the direct sunlight away from the vehicle. Six (6) Color OptionsWJXT4 The Local Station / News4JAXSeveral employees said at least four people fainted in the Fanduelville zone alone.Fans faint from soaring temps at Jaguars season opener|SHOP ALL RED HOT BUYS Find an Ace near you: Computerized Paint Color Matching Planning started in 1997, ground was broken in 2008 and the first phase of the park opened in May, 2012. The Park is managed by the Cincinnati Park Board and Parks has led the planning, design, fundraising and construction of the park. First phase construction was funded at $24 million from the City, $3 million from the State and $11 million from the Federal government.

And $28 million of private funds have been raised as of the beginning of 2012. The park is intended to reconnect downtown to the river, and to link with the existing riverfront parks to the east. It is a place from which to view the river and river traffic, a place to gather and celebrate as a community, and a place to recreate, contemplate, and be inspired. The first phase of the park has been constructed between Walnut Street and Joe Nuxhall Way, on the roof of The Banks garage, and, south of Mehring Way, from the Roebling Bridge to the Great American Ballpark. Future phases will extend the park to Broadway on the east, along the river edge on the south, and eventually extend west to Central Avenue and beyond. The Heekin Family /PNC Grow Up Great Adventure Playground An innovative, fully accessible playground next to the Roebling Suspension Bridge that will contain a rock climbing canyon, log climbers, twin racing slides, a rope bridge, granite seating amphitheater and a fog-mist feature for cooling off on hot summer days.

The Sue & Joe Pichler Family Fountains at Vine Street Steps aligning with Vine Street will be flanked by water cascades, illuminated with rainbow lights in the evening, and a plaza will contain fountains (splash and play!), a reflecting pool, water curtains, and glass balconies. The Annie W. & Elizabeth M. Anderson Pavilion A banquet center on the floor beneath Carol Ann’s Carousel will be a setting for parties, weddings and corporate functions. The center features views of the lower park, the Roebling Suspension Bridge and the Ohio River. A hand-carved carousel—a gift of The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation — will be filled with whimsical characters who each have a story to tell about a fascinating aspect of Cincinnati life, history or culture. The carousel—which will be open year ‘round—will whirl within a glass building set on a plaza fronting Ted Berry Way. The plaza will contain water features and balconies overlooking the river as well as a comfort station.

Two sets of family-sized porch swings (one adjacent to the Fath Family Fountain at Main Street, and the other rimming the Great Lawn west of the Roebling Bridge) allow visitors to take in relaxing, sweeping views of the Ohio River and the Northern Kentucky shoreline. A series of fun play and exercise features for people of all ages, set within a unique environment. Features are being designed to be interactive and include a giant foot piano, a flying pig, and water pumps and channels. Gardner Family Grove and Rose Garden This tree grove—similar to yet larger than the existing tree grove on the east side of the park—will contain meandering pathways, understory plantings and several varieties of roses. The esplanade will be a setting for farmers’ markets and other community activities. Its design will reflect the historic character of the produce industry that used to be housed on the site. A picnic terrace will flank both sides of the Castellini Esplanade. The unique setting includes moveable picnic tables on wheels, set on rails in a tribute to the produce distribution center formerly on the site.

The park is divided into two primary levels. The Schmidlapp Event Lawn is part of the upper level and provides a green roof for the parking garage. The upper level of the park is above the 100 year flood. The rest of the park, the lower level south of Mehring Way is within the floodplain. Pathways within the park are universally accessible, and there is access to the water’s edge. Walnut Street Grand Stairway and Fountain The grand stairway, complete with a bike “runnel” carved into the granite - that allows riders to easily roll bikes up or down the stairway - is flanked by dramatic cascades and waterfalls which tumble into pools along Mehring Way. Colorful water curtains fall from glass balconies which abut a plaza filled with interactive water jets. A loggia allows visitors to walk behind the water curtains, with a glass walkway above. The cascades, jets and water curtains are vividly illuminated at night with thousands of combinations of colors. Schmidlapp Event Lawn and Stage

The performance stage is covered by a canopy topped with solar panels. A broad pedestrian promenade borders the lawn and affords sweeping views of the river and the lower part of the park. The Bike Center provides bike rentals and repairs and serves downtown bike commuters. It offers memberships for bike storage, showers and lockers. It also houses the Park Visitor Center. The Moerlein Lager House celebrates Cincinnati’s beer-brewing heritage. It is a working microbrewery and restaurant and contains the newly established Beer Barons Hall of Fame. The design of the Moerlein Lager House was created to greatly enliven the dining experience by offering sweeping views of the park, the Ohio River, the Roebling Suspension Bridge and Great American Ballpark from both its indoor dining spaces and its expansive outdoor beer gardens and balconies. The park’s labyrinth—a walking meditation space with a single winding path that spirals inward to the center—provides a compelling place in which to achieve many positive health benefits.

A labyrinth is not a maze, and does not require its walker to make choices about which way to proceed or turn. There is a single, winding path that leads to its center. Since ancient times, labyrinths have been created to offer people an activity that leads to personal reflection, relaxation, meditation and spiritual connectedness. Scientific research has demonstrated that focused walking meditations can also effectively reduce anxiety. This can lead to many health benefits, including lower blood pressure, increased levels of concentration and a greater sense of happiness in everyday life. The park’s Black Brigade Monument commemorates the voluntary service of hundreds of African-American men who, in 1862, erected barricades in Northern Kentucky during the Civil War. Brutally rounded up by an appointed corps of rough-neck provost guards, dozens of black men were to be forced into hard labor, to build fortifications against Confederate raiders from the South. Their inhumane treatment resulted in protests in the local press that advocated passionately on their behalf.

Rapid intervention by Union officers led to an invitation to the men to volunteer their services, reversing the unfair conscription. These volunteers were later recognized as the Black Brigade, and were part of a group of 8,000 Cincinnatians who built the barricades. The monument is built into the earth, much like the original fortifications. Bronze statues and plaques, and carved stones were created by a team of local artists and incorporated into a single work of art. The monument includes the names of all 700 members of the brigade. - A plaza filled with water jets which dance to light and music fill the space south of Mehring Way aligned with the foot of Joe Nuxhall Way. It is a place to watch the dancing water, and the people playing in it, and it is a place to get wet. - A section of the Ohio River Trail, a multi-use bike trail along the Ohio River, is in place in the park. It will eventually connect Madison, Indiana to New Richmond, Ohio, and many sections of the trail are already complete.

The trail also connects to the Little Miami River Trail which is a part of the Ohio to Erie Trail that will someday connect Cincinnati to Cleveland. - A tree grove frames the north side of the Roebling Green, extending from the Suspension Bridge to the Main Street Fountain. The grove is crossed by walking paths and contains a variety of ground covers and trees. The park has several “green” features to make it more sustainable. The stair and elevator structure on the east side of the park has a vegetated green roof. The Moerlein Lager House, the Bike Center, and the Public Toilet Rooms and maintenance spaces are all heated and cooled with a geothermal system. The Bike Center encourages people to bike to work and bike to the park to reduce the use of individual cars and the burning of fossil fuels. Solar panels on the stage canopy and at the entrance to the Bike Center and Garage provide electricity to the park. The Schmidlapp Event Lawn is a green roof with trees that covers the roof of the garage structure underneath.