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 Testimonials |
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Testimonials re success and benefits of skateparks in NS and beyond
"The skate park has been a tremendous asset for the Village [of New Minas]. Since opening in late Fall [2005] it has been utilized regularly, even beyond my expectations. Not only do local people use it, but people from other parts of the Province come here to take advantage of its unique design. It's been a great addition to our recreational facilities and has been well worth the money. Just ask the skaters!" -- Dave Chaulk, Chairman, New Minas Village Commission
"The park was an instant success and is one of New Minas's most used facilities. Every day it's filled with kids." -- Lynn Spencer, admin. assistant for Village of New Minas New Minas skatepark website
"When our park was built, it made a great deal of difference as the youth no longer wanted to be anywhere else other than the park. All of the problems of youth congregating in groups in the centre of town and skating in areas where they were prohibited disappeared. The skate park's location, at the Community Centre grounds, is easily accessible and our youth feel very comfortable there. They also appreciated that the Town responded to their needs and many of the youth got involved in the construction of the ramps." -- Robin Scott, Rec Director, Town of Lunenburg Lunenburg skatepark, a few photos
"The Shelburne skatepark is a cooperative venture between the Town of Shelburne and Our House Youth Wellness Centre. The Town owns the site and provided some of the funding for initial construction. Our House has provided most of the equipment located on site and has provided some instruction sessions. The skate park provides a safe location for skateboarders of all ages to develop their skills and interact." –Jerry Locke, Rec Director, Town of Shelburne / Shelburne skatepark
"The skate park here in Windsor is truly a focal point for the skateboarders young and old! They have played a large part in its design over the years and attend meetings that we have from time to time to discuss neighborhood and park issues! This skate park is a very important part of our recreation delivery system for our youth and skateboard athletes!" – Janet Landry, Rec Director, Town of Windsor (view photos of Windsor's skatepark on Nova Scotia Skateparks website
"Having a Skate Park may be a challenge in the beginning but many positive benefits that are produced is well worth it in the end. Youth become active, develop leadership skills, build friendships, work on committees, plan events and fundraise. What other activity can do all this?" –Jill Jackson, Community Recreation Coordinator, 14 Wing Greenwood / photos
Whiting [Indiana] Mayor Joe Stahura said the original intent of the skate park was to provide a recreational outlet for the city's youths, but the quality of the $100,000 investment is already having an economic impact on the city. The skate park has already become a tourist attraction, he said, with skaters traveling to Whiting from across the Chicago region.
Stahura said the city has been approached by one individual seeking to open a skate shop in town and another wanting to start snack shop catering to skaters.
"Everyone kept telling us it would bring people into the city," he said. "I have to admit I was pretty skeptical about that. I'm surprised at the sheer number of people out there every day."
--The Times, Munster, IN [Whiting, Indiana pop. 5,137]
View Whiting Skatepark
While skateboarding helps with eye-foot coordination and balance,... it also improves performance in the classroom. "When they're involved in an activity that involves balance -- both hemispheres of the brain are equally stimulated," Klassen says. He points out that researchers have shown that the body also produces a hormone that makes students more receptive to learning for the rest of the school day. Local school becomes first in nation to teach skateboarding, SPS website, orig: 9news, Denver, CO
Baseball "numbers have steadily declined over the last several years," ... while, "In the decade between 1993 and 2003, the number of skateboarders increased from 5.3 million to 12.3 million." OC Family magazine
"I'm 42 years old and when I skate, I feel 16 again, every time."
--Dan Hughes, Renton, Washington
[Check out Dan's skating page & Northwest Skateboard Alliance]
"We had to buy two extra sets of bleachers to handle the many moms and families, who sit in the sun daily and watch their young children skate hour after hour. Immediately after the park opened, a group of 50-year-old contractors and tradesmen bought skateboards — along with helmets, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist pads and finally ice hockey hip pads — and now skate every morning before work. … The local newspaper has called the construction of the park, 'One of the 10 most important things that happened on Orcas Island in 2002.'”
–-Skatepark sheds gnarly drug dealers, Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce, Orcas Island, Washington Orcas Island Skatepark
"Our principal was so impressed to observe that many of the students who had struggled with discipline problems throughout the school year were shining stars in the skateboarding class. It was great to see these students radiate success!" Source: Skate Pass
“Why should you build a Skatepark anyway? Why not? The truth is I have never heard a valid reason for not building a Skatepark. Everyone talks about providing services for older youth but most of the time it is just that, talk. Anytime kids want to do something that does not involve drugs, gangs or criminal activity, we should support them. They are our future. ... You may not understand this sport or the way that these kids dress but make no mistake, they are athletes and they are passionate about their sport. They will keep skating.”
--Heidi Lemmon, Exec. Director, SPAUSA, To Parks & Recreation Members
"This isn't just about building concrete – it's about building community."
-–AHSA President John Besaw, Feb. 25, 2006 at skatepark advocacy public meeting
"For many people, their image of a skateboarder is the baggy-pants-wearing kid sliding on the ledges outside their office. While many skateboarders fit that description, we are also business owners, artists, students, parents, and yes, lawyers. The fact that I'm a lawyer I feel sometimes helps to broaden people's views on skateboarding and allows them to see past their preconceptions.
"Skateboarding has been part of my life for over 18 years and it has enriched my life immeasurably."
–-Alex Keaveny, Halifax skater/lawyer; learn more about Alex Keaveny - We Volunteer (4-page pdf doc, from The Society Record, April 2005, pub.: Nova Scotia Barristers' Society)
"Cities and municipalities have an obligation to their communities to provide safe places for their youth to skate. It is an investment in their future. When children are looked after and cared for by adults they grow up into responsible, caring adults. That is a known fact and that is why we have parks & rec programs."
--Heidi Lemmon, in Are you contributing to the delinquency of a minor? (SPAUSA -Skatepark Association of the United States of America)
"Immediately after the park opened, a group of 50-year-old contractors and tradesmen bought skateboards — along with helmets, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist pads and finally ice hockey hip pads — and now skate every morning before work. One 49-year-old carpenter told me that he has lost 30 pounds and hasn’t had to go to the chiropractor for the last five months… The local newspaper has called the construction of the park, 'one of the 10 most important things that happened on Orcas Island in 2002.'”
–-Warren Miller, Orcas Island, Washington
"Skateboarding saved my life and gave me so much, I don't even want to think about where I might have ended up without it."
-–Jason Mason, skateboarder, Vancouver, B.C. (formerly from Antigonish)
"I'm 32 years old and still skate every chance I get. When I was 19 and moved to Vancouver I couldn't believe it … skateboarders everywhere and also huge concrete parks everywhere… and guess what? I' m still here. I haven't been… in Antigonish much for 13 years and why? No skatepark!!!
"If there was a park then people in Antigonish would get a chance to see some skating in action and that might draw many of the previous names back home and closer to their families."
–-Jamieson Cleary, skateboarder, Vancouver, B.C. (moved to B.C. from Antigonish)
"I'm not a skateboarder but me and my friends went to the temporary skatepark two summers ago when it was beside the tourist bureau… it was a cool place to hang out with my friends and just watch."
-–Rachel Garbary, Antigonish
"Skateboarding is a portable yet affordable sport."
-–John Garbary, Antigonish skateboarder
"Skateboarding is becoming a legitimate sport whether people like it or not. Large well-known companies are using skateboarding and other extreme sports in their commercials & are sponsoring skateboarders themselves. For example, Tony Hawk is sponsored by McDonald's and Nike makes skateboarding shoes."
--Jordan Swinkels, Antigonish (Bayfield) skateboarder
"If your city doesn't have a skatepark, then your city is a skatepark."
--Skaters for Public Skateparks website
"The City of Victoria has benefited enormously from the skateboard park we opened in June 2002…. We have found the park to be a great attraction to young people, and we believe it reflects the ability of the City to respond to the changing recreational needs of youth. Because skateboarding is also a relatively low-cost sport, it is accessible to a wide range of youth, and that has increased the popularity of the facility."
-–Alan Lowe, Mayor, City of Victoria, B.C.
"If you integrate skateboarding into society, you'll include a group of youth who are often otherwise excluded and marginalized, which is the biggest threat they can face."
-–Kirstan Moore, Halifax skateboarder
"Oh God, someone please take my board away. I can't stop skating."
–-young skateboarder at Newburg Skatepark, Oregon, on opening day (Why Oregon skateparks are so good)
“[Our park] has been more successful than we had ever imagined... it has had such a positive impact for the youth and tourism.”
--Leslie Blade, The Skatepark Task Force, Quinte, Ontario (Quinte West - Spectrum)
"The City of Victoria has benefited enormously from the skateboard park we opened in June 2002. It is a very popular facility in the heart of a neighbourhood that is used by youth and young adults alike."
--Mayor Alan Lowe, Victoria, B.C.
"Investment in the formal skateboard park will be a long-term payback... We think of it as trying to address the need for recreational opportunities of varying age groups in our community and we are very satisfied with this investment for this age group."
--Patti Ferguson, City Administrator, Armstrong, B.C.
“ We have seen world-class skateparks with facilities that encourage health, recreation, community, ethical behaviour, citizenship and leadership. These skateparks welcome newcomers and tourists with empathy, kindness and encouragement...” (speaking of visiting skateparks around the world.)
--Jeanette Hung, parent, Halifax
“In recent years, skateboarding has developed into a well-organized internationally recognized sport and demanding form of exercise, conducive to a healthy lifestyle. TIANS supports the principle of a permanent skatepark for HRM...”
--Carol Thorn, president, Tourism Industry of Nova Scotia
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QUOTES ON SITE SELECTION
“Lighten up & build it downtown, the kids will be there regardless; we could build 2 or 3 parks with 1 closer to downtown.”
-City of Victoria, B.C.
“If you build it further away from the downtown core it won’t solve downtown problems because kids like to be downtown.”
-City of Vancouver, B.C.
“Build it where they want to be; build it where they are.”
-City of St. Albert, Alberta
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Sep 1, 2010
Upcoming events
Sept. board mtg TBA
Photos-New/Old/Older
Year in Review 07-08
Newsletter--Apr2007(pdf)
Clippings Jun03-Apr08
AHSA on facebook
Shopping
Nova Scotia sk8parks
AntigonishEventsCalendar
Halifax movie Roller Town looking for roller skaters / Roller Town facebook page
2010 Skate & Create / 2009 winner, etnies The Legend Of Boxton Square
HOLY ROLLER (2nd vid has music)
Where we are, July 2010
Rolling with the punches, The Casket, Jul 26, 2010
Town trying to find site?, Jul 21, 2010
Request for space for halfpipe turned down, June 21
A safe, fun summer, Chronicle Herald, July 19
A new skate park for sick old tricks -Globe and Mail
The Chronicles of Zander, June 12; Trailer & poster
Northside Youth Centre & Indoor Sk8park Grand Opening, Fredericton, NB; sponsor: East Side Board Supply
Playgound installation May 15, photos
Spryfield park open; vid
Everyone wins, vid about youth engagement produced by NS Dept of Community Services
Local: Big Air in Bedford
To Fix Bridge, Skateboard Mecca May Be Lost for Years, Brooklyn Bridge, NY
2010 AGM / President's report / new board
Pics, Jeff at Moncton sk8park
BMX enthusiasts out of winter hibernation
Dedication unrewarded, Letter to the editor of The Casket, Apr 14, 2010
Local talent - sk8 vids featuring Brennen Breen: couldn't breen / brennen breen this is antigonish / Halifax commons skateboardin / scooter vid featuring Ryan Rossong: Beaver Gone Wild
Danny Way Stepping Aside as His Creation Soars
Connecting to a Culture Using 4 Wheels / Related: 4Wheelwarpony
Bob Biniak of Z-Boys, Dies at 51
Skatepark planned for Amherst, NS / Many benefits to be had in skate park
Snowboarding gold medalist Shaun White on the value of skateboarding
For Tony Hawk, the Skateboard Is a Canvas
A stunt cyclist's Tour de Fence / Danny MacAskill on Youtube
Bridgewater sets aside land for skateboard park, Bridgewater Bulletin, Oct 20,09
AHSA volunteers at HUNGRY4CHANGE banquet, Aug 11 photos
2009 HG parade photos
1st Annual Arichat Skateboarding Competition - photos
New sk8parks 2008/10
Spryfield
Bridgewater (planned)
Chester
Saint John
Truro
Glace Bay
Fall River / slide show
Amherst (planned)
AnnapolisRoyal (planned)
Why a skatepark?
Site selection criteria
Sk8parks & playgrounds
Wear your support, buy a tee
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