Skate park construction delayed

The park will be located at the intersection of Goforth Road and South RM 967, and Jones said it will be the only one of its kind between Austin and San Marcos.

"Instead of kids skating where it's unsafe and on private property, we're creating a safe environment and a place to skate for our Buda kids," Jones said.

When City Council was presented with the concept for the project in June, the cost estimate was about $330,000, well above the original budgeted amount of $280,000. The city eventually approved a $350,000 budget for the project, which includes a $140,000 grant from Hays County.

Jones said much of the park's features were designed with input from local skaters and BMX bikers.

"We had a couple of community meetings where we had 20 to 30 kids show up and tell the design team what they wanted to have at the skate park, given the budget and the size of the park," Jones said. "It's really designed for kids who are beginning skaters all the way up to advanced skaters."

At a City Council meeting last year, then-Place 3 Councilwoman Sandra Tenorio described Norris as a polite boy who was also "a perfect example of what I would like my son to grow up to be like."

The Jackson Tyler Norris Memorial Skate Park's 10,000 square feet will include ramps, jumps, rails and a memorial garden that will be paved with bricks engraved with the names of donors. Norris' family and friends have rallied around the project and have committed to contributing $30,000 toward construction of the memorial garden. Jones said more than $10,000 has been raised so far, and more than 100 bricks have been sold.

In addition to the memorial garden, there are plans to plant seven trees to represent the seven recipients of Norris' organs. Rebecca Norris, Jackson's mother, said the family has heard from three of the seven donors, and each is planning to attend the opening of the park.

"It's just incredible to hear that they're still with their families and living life to the fullest," Norris said.

Jackson Tyler Norris Memorial Skate Park, 480 S. Loop 4, Buda