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Gold Hill skate park doubles in size Local skaters enjoy Wednesday evening at the Gold Hill skate park. [Mail Tribune / Andy Atkinson] Thursday Aug 17, 2017 at 6:15 PM Aug 17, 2017 at 6:15 PM Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune GOLD HILL — The Tom Fish Memorial Skate Park is doubling in size, thanks to a second construction phase that kicked off last week and should be completed this weekend. The first phase opened in April 2013 after years of community fundraising and efforts by former Mayor Jan Fish and her husband, long-distance runner Peter Fish, in honor of their late son. The skate park along Highway 234 was an immediate hit. Both phase one and two were designed years ago by Liquid Stone Designs. The first phase cost some $100,000, while the second is expected to be about $30,000. Funds were raised by city volunteers and the CanDO community group, which also helped secure grants. The first phase was constructed by Dreamland Skateparks of Beaverton. The second is being built by Liquid Stone Designs after a “call to action” was sent out in recent weeks seeking contributions. Donors for Phase 2 include: $2,500 grant from Four-Way Foundation; $5,000 grant from Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation; $1,600 toward concrete from Peter and Jan Fish; About $1,000 in combined contributions from a dozen CanDO members; In-kind contribution of $1,600 worth of concrete from Knife River; 23 loads of dirt from local property owner Mike Newman. Peter Fish said he was excited to see how community support helped accomplish the park’s second phase, noting that the addition of the bowl is already a boost for local skaters but the two sections meshed together nearly doubles the park’s square footage. Additional donations will go toward upkeep of the park and other expansions. “The primary addition for phase two is a bowl. It’s not a very big bowl but it’s got a deep end and a shallow bowl. It’s not quite finished yet but should be rounded up this week,” Fish said. “We’re just really happy to see the community has come together to help us get this next phase completed. We’re excited to see the skaters get to use it.” Larry Wade, 19, skated past the park on Thursday, but said he was excited to try the new bowl. “It’s a rad little park. There’s always skaters here using it, so now I bet there will be a lot more,” Wade said. “I bring my little cousins to play on the street side. It has a lot of different jumps you can do. I didn’t know they were adding to it, but I’m sure everyone is stoked that they did.” Fish said a dedication will be determined after completion but that the new area of the park should be usable soon. On the web: https://www.facebook.com/Gold-Hill-Skate-Park-118609594816850/ — Reach freelance writer Buffy Pollock at [email protected].