Kern River Skate Park

Donate to Donate to Karene Williams Memorial Bench @ Randall Skatepark, organized by Teresa Contreras The Kern River Skate Park Committee is raising funds to place… Teresa Contreras needs your support for Donate to Karene Williams Memorial Bench @ Randall Skatepark

Shout out and big thank you to Ruth Frantz and Kay Thayer for donating all these skateboards for the grand opening. You still have time if you want to make a difference for our youth. We can use some scooters. We have lots of kids that ride scooters. Message me, or call/text Teresa 760-499-4135, so we can get something worked out for all the scooter riders😁.

Happy go skate day!

**** Thank you everyone, we got this covered ****** Looking for a restaurant willing to donate dinner for 2, for our "old timers" portion of skate contest. Cause let's be honest if your still entering a skate contest at your age you best be taking your significant other out to dinner.

Well if you have heard yet, official ground breaking for George & Darlene Randall Skate Park is March 4.

For everyone that is looking for an update on the skatepark, please be patient. We should have some great news to share with everybody at the end of this week 😁.

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Karene Williams this weekend. Karene was our backbone, and fully committed to our project. She never gave up. Karene was an asset to our community and will be truly missed.

THIS IS THE LATEST FROM THE COUNTY.
Good morning! Unfortunately, after a review of the plans and specifications the contractor in the message below (Granite Construction) was unable to provide a bid on the project due to the Community Development requirements. I sent the project to two additional contractors, Ken Smith Construction and SPOHN Ranch Skateparks and hope to receive their proposals next week. I will update everyone as soon as I receive the proposals. Thank you!

The bid opening for the Lake Isabella Skatepark project was held on Tuesday, 6/6 and unfortunately no bidders showed up. After a discussion with James Golden we were told that we can utilize our approved Job Order Contract (JOC) contractors to complete the project. I contacted our Civil JOC contractor, Granite Construction and discussed the project scope with them and they were happy to provide a bid on the project. The project drawings and specifications were sent to them yesterday so they can begin pricing. They are estimating about three weeks to complete the proposal.
THIS WAS THE LAST CONTACT WE RECEIVED FROM THE COUNTY AND IT HAS BEEN NEARLY TWO MONTHS. WE ON THE COMMITTEE ARE MORE FRUSTRATED THAN ANY OTHERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE SKATEPARK PROJECT.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO BE PATIENT AND DO NOT BLAME THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR THE SKATEPARK NOT BEING BUILT. IT IS OUT OF OUR HANDS.

On page B6 of today's Bakersfield Californian, the County has finally advertised for competitive bids to build our skate park. This has been a long time coming but the end is in sight.
UPDATE: THE NOTICE REGARDING COMPETITIVE BIDS IS IN TODAY'S KV SUN NEWSPAPER.

We were notified today (Thursday, February 9) that construction on the skate park will commence in August. What that means is the youth of the Valley should be able to enjoy skateboarding legally by the holidays.
The committee of volunteers could not be more happy with this news. It has been a long 7-1/2 years.

This is the latest report we got from the County after asking where everything stands with the skate park.

"There are a few design components still being worked on before the project goes out to bid. This is part of the final Plan approval process that General Services is undertaking. We have provided General Services with our Community Development Block Grant BID document package so that it can be included in the final plans once the Issues are hammered out. Once all of the design components are complete, there will be one final review by CD to approve the specs prior to actual bid. I will let you know when that is complete."

We wanted our followers to be aware that the hold-up on the skate park is not the fault of the committee of volunteers. We are simply at the mercy of the County.

Another doxie enjoying skateboarding.

He was a Sk8ter Boy, She said see ya l8ter boy! 🎵

credit:

We are hopeful that Spohn Ranch will build our skate park.

Timelapse of John Weaver Memorial Skatepark in Fairbanks, Alaska Designed and Built by Spohn RanchTimelaspe courtesy of Cal Morton - Paving Products Inc.Music by Stacy Gabriel IG: https://www.instagram.com/unclegabesSpotif...

Here is the latest update received from the County.

"Good afternoon! I spoke with the designer and he said that the Construction Documents and cost estimate will be completed by the end of next week 9/2. Once received a final review of the drawings will be provided by Construction Services prior to sending the drawing package to the Building Department for review and permitting."

Your committee of volunteers will continue to keep this page updated as the skate park project proceeds to completion.

To everyone who continues to ask about the skate park, we are still waiting on the County to advertise it for construction bids. There is absolutely nothing we can do to speed up the process.
No one is more anxious to see the skate park built than those of us who have worked on it for nearly 7 years.
Your continued patience is appreciated.

The $120,000 CDBG was approved by Planning and Development two weeks ago and by the County Board of Supervisors yesterday. Now we are once again waiting on the County to put the build phase out for competitive bids.
The committee of volunteers who worked so very hard to make this skate park a reality is like everyone else. We are waiting on the County. While we appreciate everyone's interest in the project, there is nothing we can do to speed up the process.
Please continue to follow us on this page as this is where we will keep everyone updated.

THE TONY HAWK FOUNDATION IS EVEN SUBMITTING A SUPPORT LETTER. THAT IS HUGE!
In yesterday's KV Sun, the County had an ad asking for comments on their application for another CDBG for the skate park. Since the costs have more than doubled since we started fundraising, this CDBG will provide the additional funds necessary to build.
Karene has already submitted comments on behalf of our non-profit and asked that Planning and Natural Resources (June 13 meeting) and the Board of Supervisors (June 28 meeting) approve of this CDBG. We encourage all of our supporters to provide their written support to:
Planning and Natural Resources Department
Community Development Division
ATTN: PLANNER
2700 "M" Street, Suite 250
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Also mail or email copies of your support letter to all five of the Supervisors. Our youth have waited far too long for this promised skatepark.

As most of you know, we met with the skate park designer in January. Since that time, we have gotten signed confirmation letters from three of the four parties who said they would donate materials or services.
We have tried to get a status on the design but have not heard back. We sure hope the design is nearing completion so the County can advertise for the construction phase.
After over 6-1/2 years of fundraising, your committee of volunteers is anxious to see the skate park built so the youth of the valley have a place to go and skateboard, skate, bicycle, etc. without getting into trouble..