It's been a while since I last ranted but it's been a busy summer. Today I'd like to get to the bottom of why the hell city officials and parents think skateaprks need to be monitored... and to a greater extent why public money should be spent on skateparks to begin with... so here we go-

First, people need to realize that the sports we recognized as "normal" are changing as fast as the times. Kids are less interested in tennis, basketball, baseball and other sports (with multiple places to practice in most towns) and more interested in the sports they see on MTV, video games and other age-specific programming. When's the last time your kid wanted to run to Best buy to buy BORIS BECKERS PRO TENNIS PLAYER or TIGER'S PRO GOLFER? Tony Hawks pro Skater is one of the top selling games of all time for a reason, stop making these kids feel like outcasts because they don't want to participate in your idea of "proper sports"... municipalities need to adjust with the times and provide kids with the outlets they need instead of building more tennis courts when there are already a dozen in most towns.

Next, the type of facility will dictate what type of use it gets. Buying prefab ramps from a catalog and plunking them on a tennis court is NOT a skatepark. This type of park results in more trash, less traffic and a much more limited user base than a professionally-designed concrete park designed for all ages- yes, adults do skate and create a structured atmosphere with constant mentoring- remove the adults and you have immediate problems.... Steel skateparks are like paving a baseball diamond or building a tennis court on a hillside, it's just wrong.

And lastly, why does everyone always assume a skatepark needs supervision? Are skaters genetically predisposed to trouble and does putting them inside a fenced area with some intern shouting at them going to suddenly set them straight? No... it won't, that's called school. A skatepark should be cutting edge and attract users of all ages and abilities. And, just like your publicly-funded playgrounds on public land, It should NOT be fenced. It should be designed as an integral part of the landscape and disappear to most passers-by if there are no skaters there. Picture a beautiful little park-inside-a-park with trees and benches that was designed to be skated- there is no noise, no circus show... now picture a fenced tennis court with noisy steel ramps and a gate- it's noisy, looks like an MMA fighting ring and sounds like an elementary school band practicing inside of a steel drum...

SO, do your research, open your minds and stop thinking that skaters are any different than any other athlete. But also give some real consideration to your own prejudices about them... if your neighbors kid was a star football player you'd wave and say what a good kid he is but change his clothes and put a skateboard under his arm and you'd be locking your doors at night... and that's just wrong.

Oh yea, I still have questions- I do have to ask if the local playgrounds, ball fields and such are supervised in your town? Can kids go to a local park and play soccer without a supervisor keeping them safe? Are the basketball courts monitored? Can kids toss a frisbee in a public park? Is there a monitor at the local tot-lot or is the supervision of all of these facilities at the parents risk? I think the problem lies in fears that skating should be treated differently than other sports. If a group of teens can go to a basketball court and play barefoot, drink out of glass containers and not wear eye protection than kids should be able to enjoy a skatepark without "the man" watching... RESPECTFULLY submitted, I appreciate the points of view.