Skating is a growing trend in Shelby County, and it’s time for our local cities to take notice and do what they can to protect skaters — much in the same way they protect pedestrians and others who play and exercise outside.

That’s the message 11-year-old Clark Mays delivered to the Chelsea City Council last month, and we wholeheartedly agree.

We urge the Chelsea council to take a close look at Mays’ presentation and consider all the implications it could have for the area.

One advantage for Chelsea is its status as a fast-growing city easily accessed by heavily populated areas such as Inverness, Hoover and the rest of the U.S. 280 community, but with much still to be developed.

A skate park has done much for Alabaster, drawing many from outside the community who simply want an opportunity to skate safely. A skate park in Chelsea ­— or any other Shelby County community — would likely have the same drawing power.

It would also be an excellent measure of goodwill for young citizens in Chelsea, who would likely use the skate park as a gathering place.

Building a park may not be feasible right now, but there will come a time soon when Chelsea, as well as other county communities, will see revenues pick up and capital projects begin again. A skate park is as worthwhile a project as any, and we thank Clark Mays for bringing it to the council’s attention — and ours.

The We Say is the opinion of the Shelby County Reporter editorial board.