FOLEY — Forward City youth will soon have their own designated space on which to roll free.

That’s because the city of Foley has embarked on an effort to construct a free city skate park. According to Foley Recreation Director David P. Thompson Jr., the park will be located in a pre-existing city park.

“There are two old tennis courts in Max Griffin Park,” he said in a recent interview. “The tennis courts are in disrepair.”

Thompson explained that the city of Foley’s Public Works Department will demolish A tennis court to make way for the skating area.

“The tennis courts will be moved to another location,” he said.

Thompson added that the location, which intersects South AIston Street and Roosevelt Avenue, is ideal for such a project.

“It’s right next to the pool,” he said, “and it’s centrally located, with access to telephones and restrooms.”

Thompson added that the park also sits within one block of the Foley Fire Department.

The seed for the idea was planted about five or six years ago, the recreation director said.

“We’ve had some skaters asking for it for several years,” Thompson said. “They really don’t have anywhere to skate.”

So Foley skating enthusiasts have honed their craft along city sidewalks, many of which front businesses.

“Business owners were concerned about liability,” said Foley City Councilman Ralph Hellmich, a supporter of the project. “They don’t want the kids getting hurt on their property.”

“City facilities have also been used by skaters,” said Foley City Councilman Charlie Ebert, a fellow supporter of the project.

He explained that concerns of damage and injury arose when sidewalks around the Depot Museum began receiving skate traffic.

“That prompted banning skateboarding in some sensitive areas,” Ebert said.

That was one motivation for the city to move forward with the project. An additional recreational outlet for Foley youth was another.

“It offers an alternative sporting option,” Thompson said.

Plus, the recreation director anticipates the park will be in regular use.

“About 4.6 percent of the kids in any community skate,” Thompson said.

With the motivations in tow, the city had to wait until funds were available to enable the building of a skate park. Those funds, $100,000 to be exact, were approved at a recent Foley City Council meeting.

Construction on the project is expected to begin soon.

“We’re hoping to start demolition on the tenniss courts in two to three weeks,” Hellmich said.

“We’re hoping, by fall, to have a skate park in place,” Thompson said.

Once completed, the park designed by American Ramp Company, is expected to satisfy skaters of all levels.

“We’ll have an advanced area,” Thompson said, “and we’ll have a beginner area for those who are learning.”

He added that a dual use for the beginner will be to allow the more skilled skaters to warm up.

While this won’t be Baldwin County’s first skate park, Thompson said it will fill a need.

“The design will be different,” he said, explaining that skaters seek variety and that the new park is expected to draw skating enthusiasts from other communities.

To help ARC finalize its design, Thompson has formed a committee that consists of students in Foley schools. That same committee will have a part in maintaining safety rules at the park.

“Everybody’s going to have a place,” Hellmich said.

But for the design, itself, Hellmich said options abound.

“When it comes to the skatepark, the sky’s the limit,” he said.

That limit could continue to be pushed, as Thompson anticipates adding to the facility in phases.

“We’re looking at asking for an additional $25,000 in the upcoming fiscal year,” he said.

The recreation director added that the city is still seeking public input on the skate park’s design.

“Anybody that has recommendations, please contact us,” Thompson said.

He can be reached at 970-5020 or davy@bellsouth.net.