For Safety’s Sake, Donate To Skate!

To the Editor:

I’m writing this letter in search of support for a cause that is near and dear to my family, countless other families, and the future of our youth: building a professional skateboard park for our kids right here in Newtown.

There are thousands of young skaters in Newtown with no safe place to practice their craft. These are incredibly talented, dedicated kids who feel isolated and unsupported in their hometown. They see countless sports fields and top of the line team sports programs supported all over town. However, the sport of skateboarding that they love so much is largely ignored and often shunned.

Newtown’s kids are riding their skateboards in the streets and in the parking lots of businesses, which not only endangers the safety of the kids, but also aggravates business owners and patrons. Most skateboarding accidents happen on the streets, not in skate parks, with a high percentage of those accidents involving motor vehicles. Kids who ride in skate parks with smooth riding surfaces and who wear protective gear have very low injury rates. We need a skateboard park to keep these kids safe and off the streets — and to keep them occupied. Not only that, but we must show these kids that they are appreciated and supported by their community!

Skateboarding is one of the most popular youth sports in the country, and is growing in popularity every day. In fact, skate parks are the #1 choice of teenagers when polled by the Parks & Recreation Departments. Skateboarding is ranked third among those ages 6–18, which makes it more popular that baseball. Skateboarding has permeated mainstream media and pop culture. Kids just love it and we can’t ignore that!

As a parent and member of the Donate to Skate (www.DonateToSkate.com) committee, I strongly urge Newtown kids and families to get involved in the campaign to build a professional skateboard park in town. The Town of Newtown has already given us the land for the skate park at Fairfield Hills, and the Parks & Recreation Department is generously supporting this effort in a big way.

This campaign is on a roll! We’re making progress, but we need help! We’ve got to raise $50,000 this year and it’s not easy. Please visit the Donate to Skate website to download a donation form or to find information on volunteering. Donations in any amount are helpful! We also have excellent fundraising events coming up in October for kids and teens, so check out the website regularly to see what’s going on. We truly appreciate all the continued support!

Gratefully,

Erin Heneghan

and sons Kyle, Adam, and Jered Robertson

56 Appleblossom Lane, Newtown                      September 28, 2008