from Metro Pulse

Scavenging for a Skate Park
Ear to the Ground

On his way out the door, we caught up with Brian Beauchene, owner of Pluto Sports and instigator of our forthcoming public skate park. Beauchene was en route to check out the Nashville skate park with City Councilman Chris Woodhull, County Director of Parks and Recreation Doug Bataille, and City Director of Parks and Recreation Joe Walsh. As Beauchene’ll be the only one of the four men, who are going to glean ideas for our own park, who is actually skating, he says he plans to pack some deodorant for the trip back. Though the city and county donated a combined $450,000 towards construction of the park, expected to be skate-worthy by next summer, they’re still seeking donations for lighting, picnic tables, water fountains and the like. Also, in the works are two committees: one for design of the park, and the other for parents, kids and community members to voice hopes, concerns and ideas. Beauchene envisions the park as a place where “black kids will skate next to rich white kids, next to Hispanic kids. When kids can grow up together, then they’ll understand each other,” he says.