That approval came during the April 6 meeting of the Atchison City Commission, complete with a review of the project by City Public Works Director Clinton McNemee, who told the Commission it was that day he learned the foundation funds had been secured. "Last year during the budget season, [the founation] discussed expanding the Reisner Park skate park with commissioners during the budget workshops. The discussion resulted in the project's inclusion in the 2026 capital improvement plan with a budget of $350,000, contingent upon a $150,000 donation from the foundation. Last month, the commission authorized us to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the foundation to proceed with the project expansion. I just got updated tonight. The foundation has achieved their funding goal. The proposal for tonight is the [design] contract with Pillar Design with Artisan Skate Parks as the builder."
Once McNemee requested authorization to proceed, Atchison Mayor La Rochelle Young called for a vote of the Commission. "It's been moved and seconded that we authorize staff to execute the proposed contract with Pillar Design Studio and Artisan Skate Park for the Skate Park expansion project totaling $350,000 with $150,000 private funding and $200,000 from the [City's Capital Improvement Program]."
Once approval was granted unanimously, Pamela Cline, the mother of Joshua Kinsman who died in 2018 at the age of 17, was asked to speak. "Thank you for making it an easy process for us. I know we had some tough days, but, you know, nine years and we've made it work. That's where we got the donations is from the city, from the people. So we are very appreciative."
The Skate Park, which opened in October, 2021, was Cline's way of memorializing her son, a lover of skateboarding, while offering other Atchison skaters a place of their own. A 3-phase expansion has been the goal since the beginning, with the Commission's approval clearing the way for phase 2.
Although an exact start date was not immediately set, McNemee indicated it would begin this year.
