Hello Skatepark group! First I’d like to thank everyone who showed up and gave their feedback at the meeting two nights ago!! Here is what we came up with during Thursday’s meeting as far as concerns and questions that need more attention as we move forward: • The skateboarders are not against sharing the park – specific days/times for bikes may help with park congestion • Park etiquette is one of the biggest issues – this can’t really be “taught”, the best experience is being out there, but some common sense camps and clinics may be nice to offer to the younger less experienced group of riders/parents. • Research needs to be done on other skateparks that currently allow bikes and skateboards to coexist (Woodward, Chino Hills, Skate Lab). Find out about their rules and regulations and see how we could incorporate them here. • Bike lanes in town are unsafe and lines unpainted or faded away – what kind of paint do they use elsewhere (Bay Area, Salt Lake City Area)? Are there places where you ride that could use a bike lane? • Benches should be added to the park – this would eliminate the bystanders from occupying a riding portion of the park and create less danger to everyone • Shade should be added – possibly a retractable awning or a permanent structure like they use in other desert areas (AZ, Texas, UT) for schools and parks. What are they made of? Cost? • Drinking water should be made available – or at least an affordable water option in the vending machine. • Where are the plans for the other two sections of the skatepark that weren’t complete? • Possibility of opening indoor bike park – would you allow everyone in? What would you expect to see at a minimum in an indoor facility? • Fundraising – if and when the city allows bikes into the park, or in the event that an indoor facility is built, what fundraising ideas are we working on? Do we have any local business support to help accomplish large projects (construction, lumber, landscape, etc)? • Once this is brought before Council we will need to bring attention to it via Newspaper articles, radio spots, local TV station interview, and social media. Any other ideas? • Research: Government Code 831.7 • Contact the county Municipal Pooling Authority for claim against Ridgecrest and all skateparks within their authority. (JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT, THE CSAC EXCESS INSURANCE AUTHORITY) • Who will speak at the council meeting? How do you get on agenda? (Wednesday 20th 6pm PROMPT) Should we prepare more and attempt a later meeting? This is a process; no overnight results should be expected. There will need to be help from everyone. This is the part where BMX has always failed. The boring part. The work. The ‘eff it, we’ll just rebel ride the park anyway’ attitude. It’s easy to quit. Don’t let ignorant logic win. Stop letting the myth that bikes are “too dangerous” run wild. The only reason skateboards are allowed in is because they have always been considered dangerous, where bikes were not. That’s just the fact of it. Insurance companies’ rate their risks, and our city was following the rules. The risks and rules have changed. We are all dangerous now :) So let us all play! After looking through several thousand pages of minute notes from City Council from the last year and longer I can tell you that the city has not forgotten about the parks, or about the youth of our community. The skatepark is routinely brought up and the bike lanes are a concern for many. When it comes down to it, in those meetings that last till 1am, the streets need fixed, college heights needs landscape, and our city needs help bringing in new business.. many equally important things hit the chopping block when they have no voice, when no one is showing the city council members how important these things are. If this cause is important to you, your children, your husbands, friends… To you as a community member who wants to see more for our youth besides a meth problem and lack of motivation, then I urge you to follow through. Support those who want to make a difference. Nothing will be solved through arguing, so don’t waste your time. We are not wrong. We can fight this intelligently and win. I stress though, nothing will happen overnight. #LetEVERYONEride If there is anything you feel strongly about, or would like to add to the discussion please comment.
Posted on: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 02:38:32 +0000
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