Skate park moves forward
Plans for the future Berkeley Springs Bike and Skate Park are moving forward. A location for the BS2 skate park was found, insurance issues were resolved and design work is proceeding.
Morgan County Parks and Recreation acquired a parcel of land for the skate park from the Morgan County School Board last year for $1. The land is located across Warm Springs Run in the field behind the former North Berkeley Elementary, which is now the school board office.
Cost of insurance for the park will be a maximum of $2,500, which Parks and Recreation will cover, said volunteer director Bob Banks. The insurance rates with the state Board of Risk had come down dramatically since there had been no claims against skate parks in West Virginia, he said. The Berkeley Springs Bike and Skate Park format will be skate at your own risk.
Top designer
Nathan Wessel, X Games street course designer and builder and top-ranked international BMX sports bike rider, has been hired to draw up architectural design plans for the skate park. An initial check was issued to Wessel with the remainder to be paid after the plans are finalized.
Wessel assisted in designing and building courses for the Vans Triple Crown BMX series and designed and built the United Kingdom's Back Yard Jam, one of the most famous BMX events in Europe.
A professional riders poll listed Chenga World, a skate park that Wessel designed and built, as the number one skate park. Wessel worked on all five of the top skate parks mentioned in the poll.
Wessel also helps designs and judge BMX events in the United States and all over the world. He has competed internationally, has been a BMX instructor and rides in and films BMX videos and documentaries. Wessel is also a skateboarder.
The BS2 group is thrilled to have Wessel working with them on the skate park design. They hope to have him build the park.
Park features
Planned skate park features include a mixture of easy and challenging courses and obstacles for riders of all levels, an art mural, a caf
