Gahanna residents speak out on proposed skatepark's location

GAHANNA, Ohio (WCMH) -- A group of Gahanna residents are reacting to a proposed city project that they say would disrupt not only community members' -- but also animals' -- way of life in the area.

"We are not against a skate park," emphasizes Gahanna resident Marie Duque. "We would love for our teenagers, for adults that are skateboarders, that want an action park, to have it. Our issue is with the location."

For years, the soccer field at McCorkle Park, just north of the Gahanna Municipal Golf Course, has been used for sports and other leisure activities. But residents said a proposed "action park" is threatening to change the future of this green space.

Watch: Gahanna residents on proposed skatepark

"The location is very, very rich in wildlife, including bald eagle. We see them nesting all the time," Duque explains. "We see animals on a daily basis, we just saw a bunch of deer crossing the road. Wild turkey, just to name a few."

Duque argues the beautiful space is already being utilized, and needs to be protected. "We have an assisted living right next door to this park that use it, we see them walking by it," she adds.

But the animals and nearby residents are just a couple of residents biggest concerns. "The other concern is, the park that is being moved is being moved because it's a flood area. This is also a flood area," warns Duque.

The City of Gahanna says skate and action parks have evolved from the 90's and early 2000's, and a number of residents came to them upset about the condition and amenities at the city's current location.

"We really wanted to take a look and improve an existing feature that we had, into something that is better used and better desired from the community standpoint," explains Gahanna Parks and Rec Director Stephania Ferrell.

Jennifer Hecker's 14-year-old son -- Jack -- was one of the community members, who spoke to City Council about his concerns with the existing park. "He was 7 when we first started going there and the older kids in the community kind of took him under their wing," Hecker recalls.

It's something Hecker says Jack hopes to do himself with the younger generation. "It's a big change, it's unexpected," Hecker admits. "People are going to have feelings about it. But I think there's a way to collaborate and really make the best out of the situation."

While some residents are split on the project, Ferrell says the city is still only in the implementation stage. "The wooded area that is adjacent to it, that is not something we want to touch. It is by a creek corridor , we would not want to impede on that," Ferrell clarifies. "There are some ideas for a frisbee golf course or something [like] that to activate that space. That would not destroy it."

Ferrell also says any "clearing," that would need to take place to make the project possible, has already taken place. Cautioning residents that the city is still creating a foundation for the project, including the best location.

"If this project were to move forward, would require permitting from a floodway standpoint, as well as environmentally as well. So that's something we take very seriously and do follow those procedures," Ferrell emphasizes.

Residents NBC4 spoke with against the project say they intend to bring their concerns to the city at Monday's City Council meeting. Meanwhile, Ferrell reminds that because they are only in the conception stage of this project, they are still years away from any potential changes.