Sparta Applies For Grant To Move Skate Park

Sparta has applied for a Blue Cross Blue Shield Grant to help relocate its skate park to South Carter Park.

Mayor Jerry Lowery said he is not sure how much the grant is worth but the amount could be roughly around $100,000. Lowery said the grant would be used to cover moving costs and possibly new additions.

“We’ve got to build a concrete pad that would go to some of the cost,” Lowery said. “Then we got several pieces of equipment and then whatever that grant will allow us to purchase and upgrade even some more equipment that’s what we will do.”

Lowery said the city is looking to move the skate park closer to the river or across the street from the South Carter Park Playground. Lowery said he believes relocating the skate park will give it more use and add another activity to do at South Carter Park.

“I think it’s going to beat positive because Carter Park is already there,” Lowery said. “A lot of people already take the skateboards there. The walking trails end up there and so we think that more people will use it just because it is already at a park.”

Lowery said placing the skate park across from the playground would make it easier for families to monitor kids if they have different-aged children. Lowery said a date has not been set for when the park will be moved and a lot of the moving will depend on if they receive the grant.

The skate park was removed in June due to safety concerns with the demolition of the Old Sparta Hardware facility.