Concrete Skatepark for York, PA Community

PETITION IN SUPPORT OF A SKATEPARK FOR THE YORK, PA COMMUNITY

With the growing popularity of skateboarding and increasing number of skateboarders in the York area, along with skateboarding having been an exibition sport and a proposed event for the Olympic Games, I think now would be a perfect time to look at building this type of facility.

Here are a few skateboarding facts you may not know:

-Skateboarding has been around since the late 1950's and has continued to evolve and increase in popularity since that time.
-There are currently over 1000 Skate Parks (public and private) nationally with the majority of them being built in small towns.
-There are over 300 manufacturers of professional grade equipment that generate around $3 billion in annual sales.
-There are over 30.2 million participants in skateboarding and in-line skating nationwide, compared to participation in baseball (15.6 million), soccer (14.5 million), basketball (28.9 million), football (7.4 million), and softball (13.6 million).

A regionally recognized, well-designed and well-built skatepark will:

-Create a safe gathering place for the local and regional community.
-Increase opportunities for positive economic development.
-Offer a place for youth and adults alike to partake in a healthy, recreational activity.
-Provide an opportunity for various age groups to interconnect.
-Offer an inexpensive recreational and exercise experience for citizens of all ages.
-Help youth realize their potential and develop a self confidence through this disciplined, individual sport.
-Draw a large, diverse population to experience it's many components, e.g. spectators, various skill levels, and various skate styles.
-Provide a positive place for recreational classes, demonstrations, and day camps.

A concrete skatepark that is constructed by a qualified skatepark design/build firm will become the most popular recreational facility in our area and will attract outside visitors. Parks and Recreation directors all across the U.S. have said that their concrete skateparks were the best investment they made for their youth. This would be a landmark project that could showcase York as a place looking towards the future and providing innovative recreation for the community.

The attached signatures have read this page in entirety and have signed in support of this proposal. We, as a community, hope our voices will be heard.