Parks and Rec Foundation possible short-term solution for skate park

by BRENT COLE
GLACIER – The Glacier Skate Park Association is eyeing the possibility of joining the non-profit Parks and Recreation Foundation as a short-term solution to maintaining the park.
The non-profit Foundation is not affiliated with the Whatcom County Parks and Recreation Department.
Glacier Skate Park organizer Jeremy Miller, as well as the group’s lawyer, Dannon Traxler, will present their proposal at the Foundation’s board meeting on March 19.
“They take a low fee for processing and we’re filling out the application,” he said.
The group will still file for their own non-profit status, but being a  part of the foundation will allow them to take donations while the paperwork is being filled out and recorded.
According to Miller, the group and new property owner Joe Kong have come to a verbal agreement regarding the park, and will allow them to stay on the land providing they can meet all of the county’s permit requirements.
The newly formed Glacier Skate Park Association will get 10,000 square feet to use for the skatepark in exchange for paying part of the back taxes on the piece of property as well as helping King when he builds a home on his 25-acre property. “I had to agree to do some concrete work for him in the future and pour a slab if he needed it,” Miller said. “I like that idea because we’re helping each other.”
Epson Engineering, said Miller, will surveying the sight at no charge. Miller has also brought in Volcom, an international skate and snowboarding company that is interested in helping with fundraising as well as paying the approximately $4,000 initially needed to get the project legal and legitimate – $3,000 for the conditional use permit as well as $1,000 for back taxes.
On April 8, the Glacier Skate Park Association will put on a benefit show at the Wild Buffalo in Bellingham, featuring live music and a raffle/auction for items.