What Happens to 'The Turf' Remains to be Seen

Having a band like Pearl Jam, or at least one of its members, in their corner can only be considered a boon for the organizers of Save the Turf, a group determined to revive one of the two remaining skateboard parks in the United States from the 1970s.

But even with that support and that of skateboarding enthusiasts across the country, The Turf future remains cloudy.

Last week, a Pearl Jam fan group, The Wishlist Foundation, of a fundraiser concert to be performed at Hemingway's Port of Call in Lake Geneva on Friday. Along with a Wisconsin-style cookout, the event will feature live music, a raffle, auction and items for sale. Admission is $5.

Word of The Wishlist's involvement — specifically Pearl Jam bassist and skateboard enthusiast Jeff Ament — spread rapidly over the last few days, thanks largely to Save the Turf's more than 16,000 Facebook fan likes.

Will the support be enough?

According to Greenfield Mayor Michael Neitzke, the property is under control of the State of Wisconsin. It was acquired along with two other parcels for the creation of the Loomis Road north-bound exit ramp of Interstate 894. Neitzke said the land, which includes The Turf's underground "bowls," will likely remain under state control until spring 2013.

The city owns two parcels directly to the north of The Turf parcels, one of which was in July near the building on Loomis. Because of their proximity to the freeway and off ramps, these are highly desirable and in turn, likely relatively expensive parcels, according to Neitzke.

The historic value of the land, and the nostalgia it has conjured up over the last year, is not lost on Neitzke.

"The Turf, for skateboarders, has been called the Lambeau Field of skate parks," Neitzke said. "I have received hundreds of emails from throughout the world concerning the park. When Tony Hawk was in town last fall, I got to meet him and he expressed his fond memories of the place. He talked about how another similar park in California suffered the fate of redevelopment.

"Not to say it can't be done — it would be great to blend in The Turf to to future redevelopment — but it may be difficult because of the location. We'll have to see how things continue to progress."

In February, the original building plans for The Turf were discovered, leading Neitzke to suggest a tribute park being built nearby with funds Save the Turf raises.

"It would certainly be a huge attraction in what is a multi-billion dollar industry," Neitzke said. "Having folks like Tony Hawk and Pearl Jam involved certainly is a good thing. It is just too soon to tell what the future holds for those parcels. I remain positive."