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Intro:
Skateboarding is a sport, just like riding a bike, playing
basketball, or rollerblading. However, it is oftentimes not
recognized as a sport because of certain stereotypes that are
associated with it or because of definitive characteristics of a
sport. The bottom line is, a large number of people participate in
skateboarding; therefore, they need a place to go. Just like
basketball players have basketball courts and baseball players have
baseball fields, skateboarders need a place to practice their sport
also. Skateboarders get hassled out of places to skate everyday, I
go to a parking lot to skate for fun and the next thing I know
people come out screaming at me saying, “You cant skate here and if
you don’t get off of the property I will call the cops.” Call the
cops on me for practicing a sport for fun? Skateboarding gets the
good kids away from the bad places in life and gives them something
constructive to do.
Well I am here to talk
about getting a Skatepark built in Loganville. Many of you may agree
with me that a Skatepark is needed, but others may disagree. If we
were to build this Skatepark in Loganville, our arks and recreation
would be better and it would make the community look like a better
place. I am just proposing the idea and I think that the community
would get involved in the park idea.
In 2002, there were
about 16 million skateboarders and an estimated 400 public
Skateparks in the United States. That number is up from 11.5 million
skateboarders in 2000. Incidentally, in 2000 there were only 9
million Little League baseball players in the U.S., yet most cities
with multiple baseball fields had yet to build Skateparks.
Why a Skatepark?
There are not any Skateparks in Walton County. The Skatepark
will benefit skateboarders, bicyclists, and rollerbladers. It will
also give the kids a good place to go instead of being in the
streets and getting into trouble. Skateboarders make up 4.6% of the
U.S. population. There are approximately 5000 skateboarders in
Walton County with no Skatepark to go to.
Liability
As assumed there are no risks to skateboarding, if this
Skatepark idea went through a branch of strict rules will be
enforced on the Skatepark. The best place to practice skateboarding
is a place specifically made for it.
Where?
Now most of you are thinking, where would we put a Skatepark?
The new park near the current parks and recreation fields in
Loganville would be a place worth considering.
Size, Design and
Cost
An average Skatepark is around 10,000 square feet. I am
proposing that this Skatepark be about 20,000 square feet and be
made out of concrete. The 20,000 square feet would be ideal so that
it can have a beginner course, a vert section, a street section, and
a section for BMX’ers. I would get in contact with a professional
Skatepark designer and get him to design it with help and input of
skateboarders.
Most Skateparks cost around $12 - $25 per square foot. That coast
figure typically includes all design fees and services, construction
materials and labor. However, that is just the skating surface. That
cost will not include common amenities, such as bringing water and
power to the site, fencing, lighting, bathrooms or landscaping.
Compared to the cost of other athletic facilities, the price is
quite reasonable. That would put the Skatepark itself costing just
at $400,000.
How will the money
be raised?
Well, there are many ways the money can be raised, but here are
three ideas:
1. The Skatepark can be funded through a combination of local
municipalities, grassroots fundraising efforts and corporate
donations.
2. Skaters can raise half of the money through donations, fundraisers,
and other community events, and the City could match whatever we
raise.
3. Grants
Skatepark Committee
A Skatepark committee will meet every month and discuss park
factors, what needs to be done, what needs to be voted on, a place
for parents to express their concerns, a place for the press to feel
welcome, and for anything else needed.
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e know you have your own ideas and your own opinions and we
want to give you the opportunity to share them. Feel free to
submit any ideas or opinions that you have regarding Walton County.
This is your opportunity to be heard!
