Skaters Raise Funds For Park Improvements

By Kendra Bobowick

Cracking and rolling sounds surrounded Western Connecticut State University student Stuart Munro as he turned his bullhorn toward a stream of skaters tucking boards against their feet and hitting the rail.

Yelling out times: “Ten minutes left, five minutes, one minute left,” he ran competitions Sunday, November 4, during a fundraiser to support new skate park equipment at Dickinson Park. He also got more than he wished for.

“Things went even better than I had anticipated,” he said in a follow-up e-mail. “The turnout exceeded my expectations considering the change-of-date and the widespread power outages caused by [Storm] Sandy.” Mr Munro’s original date had been for October 28, a day prior to stormy weather hitting the region.

Although he has a new quarterpipe in mind, the day’s event, which drew at least 100 skaters who either paid a fee to join competitions or donated directly to the skate park, the more than $600 raised will help “make a statement expressing the need for such enhancements,” he said. “My hope is that this will speak volumes to not only the town of Newtown, but other locals in the area that are feeling the need to fill a similar void in their towns. The support was just overwhelming all around.”

Adding a quarterpipe is “just one of many ideas” that Mr Munro has heard. Lights and another banked wall are also considerations.

Also adding to the pot were five local shops/companies — Day One Skateshop, Enclave New Haven, Chapman Skateboards, Capsule Boardshop, and Utopia Skateshop — which “came through with some really awesome donations,” he said.

Erin Heneghan, a mom who was involved with the fundraising group Donate to Skate, also donated for this event. Parks and Recreation Director Amy Mangold said in an e-mail: “We are a fortunate community to have so many people give to and help the programs that they know are important for our residents and especially our youth.”

She added, “I am proud of the athletes who use the park. The participants were helpful, respectful and very appreciative of this event.”

She credits Mr Munro with making the day a success. “The event was his idea; he loves the park and wants to make it even better.” The recreation department “has no funds at this time within the budget for skate park improvements, so this is the skaters’ way to try to make them happen,” she said. The park was built with 75 percent donations. “They feel confident that they can do it again,” Ms Mangold said. With some surcharge funding from the programs that use the skate park, Dickinson Camp and skate lessons, Ms Mangold hopes those funds can also help toward improvements.