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The park isn't supervised 24/7, so how do we know it isn't used for destructive behaviors?
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| The same curfew rules that apply to existing public parks will apply to this one. One of the location considerations is that the park is visible, allowing anyone in the community, including parents and law enforcement to feel comfortable and to see that the participants and property are safe. |
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Are action sports very dangerous?
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The data in the table below was collected in 1998 and it finds fewer injuries as a result of skateboarding or skating than baseball, basketball, football, and ice hockey. The most significant injuries are auto accidents as a result of practicing the sport in the street, rather than in a designated location.
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Sport |
Participants |
Injuries |
Percentage |
Injuries per 1000 Participants |
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Baseball |
31,500,000 |
312,821 |
.0099 |
9.9 |
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Basketball |
29,400,000 |
631,186 |
.0214 |
21.4 |
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Bicycle riding |
43,500,000 |
577,621 |
.0132 |
13.2 |
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Football |
17,000,000 |
355,247 |
.0208 |
20.8 |
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Ice Hockey |
2,100,000 |
22,231 |
.0105 |
10.5 |
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Soccer |
13,200,000 |
169,734 |
.0128 |
12.8 |
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Roller skating (2x2 and inline) |
36,900,000 |
164,464 |
.0044 |
4.4 |
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Skateboarding |
5,800,000 |
54,532 |
.0094 |
9.4 | |
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Are waivers used?
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| Waivers will not be used. |
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Is a skatepark supervised?
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| Our skatepark will not be supervised due to insurance considerations. However, city maintenance facilities are nearby and the area is regularly patrolled. |
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Are the liability and insurance issues prohibitive to building a skatepark?
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| That is a legitimate concern & question. Let us put your mind at ease: the liability related to a skatepark is no greater than that of a city-maintained baseball field or playground. The reality is that few cases involving skatepark liability have been filed in the last two decades. Santa Cruz CA has operated a public skatepark for 20 years without a single claim originating from its use and not a single skatepark-related claim has been filed since the city of Huntington Beach CA began operating 2 public skateparks in 1993 and 1994. |
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Is this sport really popular or a passing fad?
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| Action sports are hardly a fad. They started in the 1950s and have been growing dramatically. The total number of individuals engaged in action sports in 2000 was well over 32.5 million. That means there are twice as many youth participating in action sports than baseball. |
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Do you have the skills and knowledge needed for the project?
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| The Committee plans to hire an experienced professional to build the park. |
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How was the location determined, and where does the land come from?
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| There were a number of factors considered, including accessibility for participants since most dont yet drive, visibility for parents and law enforcement, noise and lighting consideration in a residential community and how much space actually needed. The land belongs to the city and will be maintained just like any other recreational facility. |
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Isn't there an alternative to skateparks?
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| That is what skaters are doing now - using public and private property. The challenge is that no one is comfortable with that. The athletes simply want to practice their sport. A skatepark would give them such a place. |
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Why are these youth often destructive of public property?
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| They are not intentionally destructive. They simply want a place to practice their sport. Since there is no specific location, existing public and private property is used. Since the property isnt built for the wheels of skateboards, in-line skates, or BMX bikes, damage can result. Providing a safe and properly designed location prevents that. |
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Who is or will be involved in the project?
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| The youth in the community will be key to making the project happen. They have the most to gain. Parents, law enforcement, local business people, city officials, civic and religious organizations are also involved. |
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Most of our parks have been built by our Parks Department. Why would the community build a park?
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| There is so much value to a skatepark being built by the community. In a community built skatepark, the actual users get involved not only in the design process, but many other aspects. The real value is that the youth get wonderful real-world lessons in civic responsibility, working with different groups and people and even taking what everyone perceives as a problem and turn it into an opportunity for understanding. |
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What is involved in the construction process?
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| The design of the park will be a collaborative process, which, in addition to professionals, will include the youth of our community. |
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How much do skateparks cost?
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There is a big range because there are many factors, including size, materials, and amenities such as bathrooms, landscaping, lighting and parking. However, the estimate for the 20,000 square foot concrete facility that we plan to build is between $200,000 and $250,000. |
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Where will this money come from?
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| Some of the money has already been raised through grassroots fundraising efforts and grant sources. A fundraising team has been organized to raise additional money. In addition, the committee is aggressively pursuing grants and corporate sponsorships. |
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How long does it take to build a skatepark?
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| Naturally, this depends on a lot of factors such as the weather and the commitment of the teams involved, but generally anywhere from 3 to 6 months, once construction begins. |
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Will you charge for the use of the skatepark?
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| No. Like other city-maintained recreational facilities (baseball fields, soccer fields, playgrounds), the skatepark will be free and open to the public. |
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What is the toughest issue you face to getting the skatepark built?
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| Convincing people that the project is needed and worthwhile, allaying concerns about liability and safety and - of course - raising money. |
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How involved is the on-going maintenance after a skatepark is built?
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| A well-designed park is much less expensive to maintain than the routine grass cutting required for a baseball field. Basically, after it is built the upkeep is in keeping it clean and making sure that damage does not occur. |
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Of the people that have done this before, what did they wish they did?
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| Made it bigger. |
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