The main attraction at Alabaster&8217;s new skate park, a concrete bowl resembling an empty swimming pool, doesn&8217;t look very inviting to an accident-minded observer.

In fact, it looks like a broken arm waiting to happen.

But to a teenaged skateboarding enthusiast, it&8217;s the best thing around.

And that&8217;s good news for churches, businesses and other property owners whose sidewalks, parking lots, handrails and steps have become grinding grounds for skateboarders with few places to practice their tricks.

The city of Alabaster will look pretty smart when it opens its new skate park on April Fools Day.

Kids will come from across the county to check it out,

along with advanced skaters and even professionals from out of state. And now, other municipalities are getting into the action.

Columbiana Mayor Allan Lowe has proposed a skatepark and the city of Montevallo is looking into the possibility of building one as well. In those cities where sidewalks are a major part of daily life, these efforts make a lot of sense.

Skateboarders are routinely chased from recreation areas in town, the steps of churches and other local businesses and government facilities. Providing them a place to practice their &8220;art&8221; will eliminate the need to have local police patrolling for skateboarders.

Columbiana&8217;s proposal even calls for skateboarders and their parents to get involved by helping to raise funds to build the skate park. These moves by local municipalities will only help to keep our county safe for youngsters