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Danville parks commissioners have selected Sycamore Valley Park as the site of a potential skate park coming to the town.
The other two sites up for consideration were Osage Station Park, near the intersection of El Capitan Drive and Greenbrook Drive, and Diablo Vista Park, at Crow Canyon and Dougherty roads.
But after consulting firm Spohn Ranch conducted site analyses of the three spots, it was determined that Sycamore Valley Park — situated at Holbrook Drive and Camino Tassajara — would be the best place for a skate park, said Henry Perezalonso, town recreation services director. Specifically, the fountain and pond area within Sycamore Valley Park.
“Nothing has been decided yet,” Perezalonso said. What this means, he said, is that Sycamore Valley Park will be used for the skate park feasibility study they are currently conducting, to determine the costs and scope of the project.
When looking at the various potential sites, commissioners and consultants considered factors like the sites’ locations and their on-site amenities. Sycamore Valley Park, Perezalonso said, is more accessible than the other two sites, has a decent amount of parking and already has lighting in the fountain and pond area that could be used for skate park-goers.
The decision came at a December meeting for the Parks and Leisure Services Commission. A week later, over 80 community members — many of them skate sport enthusiasts — showed up to a town-sponsored skate park design workshop, to share their thoughts on the new park.
Perezalonso said he was “very impressed” with how well-spoken the workshop’s attendees were. There was a wide range of ages, he said, including some multi-generational skating families, and many adults who spoke about growing up in Danville with no place to skate.
Community members voiced the desire to make the potential skate park attractive to skaters of all levels, especially to young girls, Perezalonso said. They also brought up that skateboarding is soon to be an Olympic sport, making its entrance at the 2020 Tokyo games.
While the park is primarily designed for Danville residents, skate parks do attract boarders from all over, he said.
“So I do anticipate that there may be some folks from out of town,” Perezalonso said. “But that’s with any skate park.”
He said they hope to present the results of the skate park feasibility study at a February Parks and Leisure Services Commission meeting.
I really hope they do not fill in this beautiful spot with concrete!
So many happy memories are made at the pond at Sycamore Park. Homecoming pictures, prom pictures and even family photos for greeting cards. Every week there is someone there posing for a photo shoot. Or simply to look at the water with a child or beloved pet.
I encourage the Town Council to find a less obvious and idyllic spot to put the skate park. The beauty and nature of Danville seems to be slipping away every year.
I am not in favor of this at all. I have a teenager and I am not against a skate park but not at sycamore park. Taking down the trees and pond and water fountain? No. Its a beautiful feature . The concrete park will be an eyesore! So ugly! Where can we voice our concerns to the city?
Has anyone bothered to check with the Temple and church nearby as to whether they want a skate park next to them
I am very against this as well, and strongly agree with Mary’s excellent points. The fountain is a beautiful feature of the park! They need to find a different location for the skate park.
I think the skatepark is a great idea and it will keep kids from riding on public property and destroying rails with the paint of there board and I strongly disagree with Ken and Nancy Its not like the skatepark will take up the whole park
Typical, negative input AFTER the public hearing process has already been completed. This was well received by the community & over 80 people came out for the design meeting recently. Get involved early on when it matters!
Kim-your comments are unwarranted and rude. Most residents who live near Sycamore park are JUST learning about this proposal. There were no notices sent out and not everyone takes to social media.
The idea that the most idylic part of the park is to be taken for a cement eyesore is incredible.
If it must be installed, put it up near the batting cages, don’t ruin the peacand tranquility for the rest of us. The fountains, waterfall, and picnic areas are wonderful attributes for those of us who don’t have kids that use the playground area or participate in athletics. There is an abundance of athletic fields, most of which are only occasionally used and never all at the same time unless there is some sort of tournament. Keep the skateboarders away from the peaceful area.
I totally agree that this beautiful, peaceful and meditative spot should be left as is and not turned into a cement eyesore.
Having raised two sons in Danville, I am for the ongoing improvements of our playgrounds and athletic fields but taking away a beautiful spot is not a good decision.
As others have mentioned, placing the park behind the basketball courts at Sycamore seems to be a great alternative.
How can residents effectively influence this? Thank you.
I strongly disagree with the proposal of skate part conversion.
Totally disagree with the site chosen.
Would have preferred Osage myself. But Sycamore is fine. Hope the kids have a great time there.
Wish the town council had a better way of letting residents know about these things before it’s too late ~ The charm of Danville is in its natural beauty and small town feel… please consider putting this up away from the road where it won’t ruin that beautiful park or maybe somewhere along the path at Osage? Agree with everyone about this iconic photo location, and the peaceful tranquil feel of the fountains and lawn area. People also love that wide expanse of grass for playing catch, frisbee, picnics etc.…great family spot!! Please don’t ruin that with a cement skate park! Like the idea of putting it up behind the cages and away from view…
Many people have suggested putting the skate park up by the batting cages. This really isn’t an option because there is great potential for criminal activity and the it’s always recommended that these parks be visible from the road. It’s alarming the town would has approved this site as all, next to Sycamore Valley Elementary. There are plenty of skate parks nearby, Dublin, San Ramon, Pleasanton and Walnut Creek just to name a few. These are NOT is residential neighborhoods! Come out and speak your peace in next meeting!
typo- skate parks be visible from the road….
Many readers need to take a chill pill. I agree Sycamore is a beautiful park and the water fountain is a great place for photos. But this fountain needs a lot of repairs and was going to be an issue in the near future anyway. Our teenagers need a safe place to hang out more than we need a fountain for photography.
“Chill”, please realize that the fountain area at Sycamore Park is much more than a place for photo shoots.
It is tranquil and beautiful. A lovely little place of peace where many go to enjoy.
I’ve lived in Danville for 24 years and so appreciate having this place to go to.
(Personally have never had a photo shoot there.) I know there are many that share my opinion.
Where else can you go in Danville for this without having to hike?
Danville mom: I too am a Danville mom, and I have enjoyed the fountain for many years, I love driving by and looking at it. BUT, I believe that our teenagers need a safe, fun place to hang out. Right now most teenagers walk around town and hang out in our shopping areas and parking lots. I am willing to sacrifice this beautiful fountain for them. In addition to our local teenagers, I will guarantee that many children and adults will enjoy the space also.
There are many other beautiful places in Danville to sit and enjoy nature, including all of our other wonderful local parks.
This looks great! I’m (kind of) old now but grew up skateboarding in the 80’s and would have loved to have this in my town. Unfortunately skateboarders are often associated with negativity and crime, but there are no more “bad seeds” in skateboarding than there are in any other subculture. Please keep an open mind and don’t buy into the stereotypes.
I’ve taken my kids to the water feature many times and I agree it’s very nice. I’m not sure it’s as peaceful as some have noted since it is very close to the road and its noise. It sounds like it may be in need of extensive repair and that is why they are thinking of locating the skate park there.
I’m up for a skate park where ever it is most available/accessible and least impactful to the surroundings. If the Sycamore location turns out not to be the best place, so be it, but I’m very happy it will be built somewhere in town.
There are so many things wrong with this proposal:
-right next to Camino Tassajara which is 45 mph, but cars race down at 60 mph+
-removing our beautiful iconic fountain/pond to replace it with a slab of concrete
-potential for additional criminal activity, and if you don’t believe it simply ask the SRPD (no one is saying “skaters” are criminals)
-Next door to a K-5 elementary school
-liability
Just to name a few…
If the kids want to go to the skatepark drive them 10 minutes down the road to SR or Dublin!
See you at the next meeting which will hopefully be more publicized.
Any news from Wednesday’s meeting? Wondering how many haters showed up.
“HATERS” Hard to debate with such intelligence. Term used by weak minded, emotionally frail people who don’t have the stomach to even consider accepting someone else’s viewpoint.