10-16-2006 PRB Minutes and Our View

a. Bill Alt representing the Skate Club and four youth were now present. A free-wheeling discussion of problems in Lake Leota Park, suspected to be largely caused by skateboarders and bikers, was held among the citizens, members of the board and staff, and other citizens. The chair reported that Police Chief McElroy said that three arrests have been made in the aftermath of the vandalism at the pool, and more were expected. Those already arrested are expected to be dealt with in Juvenile court proceedings in early November. Hamacher said that he saw some 15-20 boarders in the pool on the day of the damage. Alt said that if there were that many people in the pool, he thought that the police department should be able to identify many more than three suspects and arrest them. He urged that those found guilty be made to pay restitution, a fine, and perform community service work. He also said that it didn't appear there was any way under current law to enforce the posted skate park rules. The youth in attendence pointed out that there are different groups of boarders and bikers, that not all boarders should be blamed for the damage caused by other groups. Jacobson and others pointed out that, if those in attendence knew anything about the identities of anyone responsible for any damage or vandalism, they must take the responsibility of reporting what they knew to the authorities. Juergens said it seemed that the Skate Club was moribund, and that people interested in having the park re-opened should re-organize the group. Anderson reported that there had been malicious damage to signs at the skate park, graffiti and trash problems. He said he was very disappointed in the actions of some people who used the park. It was noted that rules prohibit bikers using the skate park equipment, and that maybe those people are jealous and express their unhappiness by vandalism. (This prohibition is due to insurance concerns.) Alt urged more frequent patrols of the park by the police. Juergens suggested that the skate-park equipment not be replaced into the asphalt surface (it is sitting on grass nearby) until next Spring. It would only be replaced if it appears that substantial progress has been made in re-organizing a group of responsible youth who can demonstrate that they will care for the park. One of the kids present asked what would happen if no group formed, and it was suggested that the equipment could be sold to another municipality. Several board members stressed that the situation at the skate park was viewed as very serious and, if significant improvements could not be demonstrated, closing the facility was a strong possibility. Juergens said he would contact the police chief, the city attorney, school officials and staff at the Dean Community Center in an effort to bring together adults who could suggest ways of getting a handle on the situation. It was decided by consensus that the skate park will remain closed until further notice.

After years of advocating, skateboarders in Evansville simply became tired of the PRB and gave up all hope on a true skatepark. Once this skatepark came into existence, it was treated terribly simply due to the fact that wooden ramps don't continue to challenge skaters after they've mastered that obstacle. As a result, they either leave the facility in search of greater challenges or lose respect for the facility.

The skateboarding community needs to rally together and come forth strong in the efforts to create something amazing from this disaster. No longer should money from the city be a factor, we have means of raising our own. No longer should we slip to modular parks. No longer should we be called low-lifes in the community.

The Evansville Skatepark Project is the new mission of the Evansville Skate Club. Advocating, Funding, and Stewarding are the main purpose of the project. The skateboarding community can come up and beyond what society sees us as and create an amazing municipal cement skatepark, which other communities will inspire to create. This new skatepark would require little maintenance and overhead costs and would help meet the needs of the many kids who are veering away from traditional team sports. The recreational offerings in the city of Evansville have to change if we're going to entice kids to put down the video games and go outside and be active.

Yes, this venture will take time, but look at how long it has taken us so far. To ultimately create a skatepark that can be used for all abilities, can be seen as an attraction to bring tourism into our city, and to just simply have a park to be proud of is something we should all take strives to help achieve.