So what first comes to your mind when you think of a skate park?
pretty cool... great place for all those skater dudes to hone in on their skills...
Do you imagine in your mind a skate park to look like this?
Or a place like this???
So I have a cool picture of a skate park in my head...it's the one in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho- it is downtown on a busy street next to the huge Coeur d'Alene park. When I drive past it I always think, "oh that is cool" or I mean "that's wicked" or I mean "that's so sick". I can understand 'wicked' -but 'sick'?...really?...'sick'???
The city/town I live in has plans on building a skate park...about 150-200 yards from my house...and suddenly I wasn't all too fond of wicked cool sick skate parks...
I can picture myself going for walks with my two little toddler girls (who happen to like dolls and dandelions). And as I near the skate park, I see too many cars parked along the street, I see kids with pants down to their knees, I see some bad habits in the young skater dudes, I see my quiet street not being so quiet anymore...I see myself getting really really mad...
I am a mommy. I am a concerned citizen....oh great here April goes again.
So I called City Hall. I told them to build the skate park next to the City Hall building and not in my neighborhood. I was a little upset. I told them it was silly to put a skate park in a residential neighborhood.
I then called the mayor. I asked him how he would feel if there was a skate park going up next to his house? I told him nicely, "Do you even know the demographics of our neighborhood? We are all either young first time home buyers with little children or older folks passed retirement age. Not too many families with skaters live here, but the park will bring more kids, cars, traffic, and punks from outside the city boundaries than within."
Election time is nearing. I told the mayor I wouldn't vote for him unless he promised he wouldn't build a skate park next to my house. I reassured him I could easily get 1000 signatures to protest the park.
2 weeks later I get a call from the mayor. He told me he is deciding to go against the skate park!!!!!! He said it would be expensive to build and not a good environment for a residential area despite what other members of the city council believe. Hello? My words exactly. He then said, "Why don't you come to the next town hall meeting with some ideas of what the city should do with the property instead?"
"What?"
What did I get myself into now?
ok so if you live near me- please don't laugh at the campaign sign in my front yard...but I am voting for our current mayor this coming election...because he really does listen to the city members...and if you don't want a skate park either you might want to vote for him too...
I wonder if the mayor even has a clue that I am the dorky girl who delivers his paper every morning. oh that makes me laugh...shhhhh
14 comments:
April, that is awesome. I didn't know he called you back. Way to be an involved citizen. I think people forget that we still have a voice.
I think you should recommend a splash park - of course, that would also bring lots of traffic, but at least it would bring other young kids and their parents. Or just a good ol' playground - they took the one out at the senior center to expand that complex.
I'm impressed that the mayor called you back, and that you called him in the first place! I work as an election judge, and I have to say that based on the tally of votes from the primary run-off, he's going to face a difficult opponent. At least in our district, Val Coles got more primary votes than Mark Allen.
You are amazing April.
Way to speak up and be heard!!
Oh boy! Here you go April, get some ideas ready and knock them out! How about a splash pad with playground area - those are a hit with younger kids. Of course, lots of shade and tables for the parents and picnics.
I hope you attend that meeting and report back.
April I love it!!! You are so awesome! And there is nothin wrong with just a good ol park to rest and play and walk your dog at. Way to go April. you rock! your sick dude! hahahaha
April, you are just jealous you don't look as hot with your pants hanging off your butt!!!! jk
Ok I think that you should run "April Clark, Mayor of Awesomeville!!!" Got my vote!!!!
That's awesome that you voiced your feelings and that your representatives responded. Way to go.
Having said that, we have a skate park in our town. It is kept clean (like your first picture), is fenced and locked at night. My ten year old likes to go there (on roller blades) and since it is a few miles from our home, we all go. My little girls play on the nearby swings while my boy breaks his body on the ramps. Yes, many of them wear odd clothes and have bad hair, but I haven't run into any who are trouble makers--at least that I can see. They take turns, let the kid (ie my son) in line, use only mild swears that many of us would use if we just did that to ourselves, and don't smoke. They like to skate, they are there for a workout and take care of the park they use. If properly planned, with parking, benches, trees, water fountains, etc., it can be a nice thing.
Whew. Went on for a while. Sorry. That wasn't even the point of your post. (:
April, that's awesome! Who knew that all you had to do was call up your local mayor!? :) Only you! :) Way to be heard. You motivate me to be a better citizen of my community!
Way to be passionate and make a difference!
Go April!!! I love it - and the post that follows this one about religious freedom - I'm concerned about that one.
(not concerned about the post - the idea of our freedoms in jeapordy!) I wonder if any of the people Pres. O was addressing were on the Nobel Peace Prize voting committee? :)
Yay! Good for you! I think a park with toys and grass and picnic tables would be just fine. There is not one very close to us. That's what I would vote for.
Hey April! You don't know me, I'm a friend of Joette's. I loved this story! Way to take on the man.
I really love reading your stuff and joette's. Both of you write with such honesty and sincerity, it's really felt! Thanks for a sweet story and a good laugh!
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