TonganoxieMirror.com

Tonganoxie Mayor Dave Taylor's proposed site for a Tonganoxie skate park will change.

Taylor learned last week that land he recommended -- north of County Road 5 between Chieftain Park and VFW Park -- belongs to a private citizen.

"We may have to regroup and go across the street, because we do own that piece of property across the street," Taylor said.

Kathy Bard, Tonganoxie's assistant city administrator, said the city is trying to identify various parcels of land where a skate park could be built.

For instance, the city owns the land across County Road 5 that Taylor referred to. However, she said there's a problem with the deed the city is ironing out. The city also owns land east of the fire station on East Fourth Street.

Bard said selecting a site is just one of the hurdles to making the skate park a reality.

"We have to figure out what type of skate park is going to be built and then we have to figure out how we're going to pay for it," Bard said.

Meanwhile, a group of Tonganoxie skate-park promoters has established a not-for-profit group, Ride 'N Roll.

And Taylor is promoting the skate park.

"I just want the kids to have a place of their own," Taylor said. "And that's a safe, secure area."