Jewett City needs to make good on its commitment to keep the skatepark on Hill Street a safe place that is properly equipped and operational.The joint Borough & Town project opened in 2004 after two years of planning, meetings, and input from parents and youth.
The original $10,000 cash and in-kind contributions got the skatepark started, but the lack of additional financial support over the last three years has left the park in disrepair. As reported by The Day in a December 27, 2006 news article, it is more than understandable that residents have questions about the future of the skatepark.
"We want to address it before it becomes a safety issue. We want to be proactive and preventative," was the direction urged by Marc L. Cournoyer, former Town Recreation Director, in a December 2006 letter to the Warden and Burgess of Jewett City. [Mr. Cournoyer's last day of employment as Griswold Recreation Director was the end of March. Plans for hiring a replacement have not been reported by the media.]
Tony Hawk Foundation: Action Plan Model & Possible Funding Source
"Supporting Youth and Public Skateparks" is the mission of the Tony Hawk Foundation. A statement from the foundation website says it best.
After receiving thousands of e-mails from parents and children across America who either did not have a safe, legal place to skate or were ostracized-and in some cases arrested-for skating on public property, Tony decided to establish a foundation whose mission would be to serve this population. He wanted to help them develop quality places to practice the sport that gives them much-needed exercise and a sense of self-esteem. So in 2002 he established the Tony Hawk Foundation, financed the organization with a personal gift, and assembled a board of directors that represents a diverse range of backgrounds and expertise. [www.tonyhawkfoundation.org]Action Plan Model:
Direct grass-roots involvement by skaters is the hallmark of the the Tony Hawk Foundation. Youth must take the lead to organize skaters, plan the project, fundraise local dollars, and design the skatepark.
The foundation has published four articles on each of these subjects to provide guidance and inspire the possibilities.
1) click here - organizingPossible Funding Source
2) click here - planning
3) click here - fundraising
4) click here - designing
The Tony Hawk Foundation makes grant awards between $1000 and $25,000 twice each year in April and December. The competition for funding is definitely extreme. Youth engaging the application process with the support of local government will create opportunities for individual learning, personal responsibility, and community pride.
The requirements of the Tony Hawk Foundation grant process can be found by reading the following documents:
1) click here - Letter from Tony HawkSupport of the Board of Warden and Burgess and direct youth involvement are critical to submitting a competitive grant application to the Tony Hawk Foundation.
2) click here - Grant Eligibility Guidelines
3) click here - Grant Application Worksheet
Ron Ward, JCP Candidate for Warden committed to Skatepark
"The youth of Jewett City have demonstrated an interest in having the skatepark," said Ron Ward. He continued, "Now it is time for the Borough to make the skatepark safe and operational for our youth." A new skateboard shop will open at its School Street location on May 1st. The owner of the shop understands the market potential here in Jewett City. It is time to encourage our youth, support a new local merchant, and provide a top-notch skatepark.
Other Resources
Skaters For Public Skateparks: www.skatersforpublicskateparks.org
Skate Park Guide: www.skateparkguide.com
Skate Park Association of the USA: www.spausa.org
Skate Park: www.skatepark.org
The Day - editorial published December 28, 2007: click here
photo credit: Tim Martin, The Day - December 27, 2006
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