Skate Park Removal? - I’m not one to rip out infrastructure.

By Tom Spigolon for DeKalb Neighbor News Editor

Joe Riiska is a regular customer of Dunwoody’s Brook Run skate park — traveling from his Chamblee home to ride his bicycle on the steep inclines of the professionally-built facility. The 25-year-old, who works for a tool rental company, believes Brook Run’s course for skateboarders and bikers should remain in operation because it is one of the best of its kind in metro Atlanta — and the closest for those living inside the Perimeter.

“If anything would happen it’d be a huge blow,” he said.

DeKalb County has operated the lighted, five-acre facility — which resembles a series of dry swimming pools of varying depths — since mid-2007. Though Brook Run reportedly has not yet been discussed, the future of county-operated parks and their amenities within Dunwoody will be among the subjects of discussions between DeKalb County and the city as it seeks to take control of some county properties within its limits.

One city official who believes the skate park should remain open and operating is newly elected Councilman John Heneghan, who heads the Dunwoody North Civic Association which represents homeowners in neighborhoods near Brook Run.

Heneghan, who was elected on Sept. 16 and sworn into office Sept. 24, said he believed the removal of five acres of trees to build the facility was a mistake. However, the skate park is a “multi-million-dollar facility” which provides a service to taxpayers — including Heneghan who bought a season pass for himself and his skateboard.

“I’m not one to rip out infrastructure,” he said, in response to a question about removal of the sometimes controversial skate park.

He noted the county is not taking in enough revenue from entrance fees and other sales to cover the cost of operations — a fact Dunwoody likely will consider as it moves forward in negotiations with DeKalb for operation of Brook Run, Heneghan noted.

Nearby counties like Gwinnett have invested heavily in skate parks. Five are in operation and two under construction in Gwinnett parks. All are free of charge, including three which are lighted, with a special purpose local option sales tax footing the bill.

Riiska noted he has met young skateboarding enthusiasts from as far as Alabama who traveled to Atlanta specifically to use Brook Run.

“It’s a good meeting spot,” he said.