Skate Park Enthusiasts Ready To Roll

By Dottie Evans

Newtown’s growing roster of skateboarders and their supporters have shown they are not going to be daunted by the loss of $25,000 in proposed 2003–2004 budget support.

The line-item cut from the Parks and Recreation budget came last week after the Legislative Council concluded its deliberations on ways to reduce the bottom line in behalf of the town’s taxpaying public.

The skateboard group would call the loss of prospective funds a bump in the road –– just one more obstacle to be overcome –– as they met Thursday, April 24, at Newtown Youth Services.

The Skate Park Parents Association (SPPA), students, and other professionals discussed fundraising ideas and set what they hoped would be a straight course toward their goal of having a temporary skateboard facility up and running by fall.

 “I want the kids to have something by the end of the summer, even if it just two ramps,” said parent and SPPA organizer Ken Gottschalck.

“The budget issue is a disappointment, but it’s not a show-stopper. We’re going to forge ahead anyway. It was a positive meeting and we got a lot accomplished. There must have been about 30 people there –– children, teenagers, members of town boards and commissions,” he said.

Mr Gottschalck said that the SPPA was encouraged by the apparent support of First Selectman Herb Rosenthal.

“He seems to be an advocate for the park and we appreciate that.

“We were looking at putting it in a temporary area at the abandoned Fairfield Hills tennis court, and this seemed to have been 90 percent approved pending the purchase of the property by the town, of course.”

Newtown Youth Service Outreach Coordinator Matt Rosen was equally upbeat about the prospects of moving ahead with the park.

“We want to raise money for fencing, pavement, and equipment and the kids will be involved as well. We’re also looking at other skate parks in the area, and we plan to visit them to promote safe skating.

“Right now, we’re gearing up for a major fundraiser and we want to get something going before the kids get out of school. Maybe a spring-cleaning tag sale or a skateboard competition with demo ramps and some live music. A real block party sort of thing,” Mr Rosen said.

He mentioned possibly using Bridgeport Hall at Fairfield Hills if that facility were available once the town’s purchase of the 186-acre campus from the state had gone through.

The SPPA also plans to contact local churches and businesses for support.

“We will be pounding the pavement looking for corporate sponsors. It’s true that some businesses do not want skateboarders on their property. But it’s like prohibition. You can’t stop them,” Mr Rosen said.

And, as many have already pointed out, if there is a skate park facility in town, the skateboarders will have an appropriate place to gather.

Mr Gottschalck has an 11-year-old youngster, who is currently very keen on the sport.

“I’m like most parents of skateboarders. We bring our kids to other towns now. And while we’re out there we do some shopping, which means we take our economic dollars out of town. I’d like to see Newtown merchants get some benefit from this popular activity,” Mr Gottschalck added.

“There should be a lot of reasons this skate park could be a win-win situation for many people.

“Necessity is the mother of invention,” he said, and with grants offered through Newtown Youth Services, with Parks and Recreation support, and with fundraising activities, the SPPA hopes to get there.

“Ridgefield and Bethel have done it before us. All it takes is the sort of home-grown volunteer spirit that Newtown people always seem to demonstrate.”

A June 7 fundraiser is being planned to include a skateboard festival at the high school. It will be co-sponsored by the Newtown High School Guidance Department, the SPPA, and Newtown Youth Services.