We, the undersigned citizens, parents, business owners and skateboarders of Menifee, CA wish to express our support for local youth by proposing the construction of a public skate park.
Skateboarding is one of the most popular youth activities in the country and has reached international status through World games and X games. We believe that it’s time that we provide the underserved skaters in our own community with a safe place to challenge and express themselves. The city, county and parks and recreation foundations have done much to provide some active youth ball parks, soccer fields, and gymnasiums. We would like the less organized sports activities to have a stake in our parks and open spaces as well.
During the past ten years, hundreds of successful public funded skate parks have been constructed in cities and towns across the United States. Not only have they proven to be statistically safer than a basketball court or a public pool, they’re also an excellent way to get young people involved in civic and community development. Young people need to have a sense of ownership in and connection to the community in which they live. A skate park is a great way to build such bridges. Rather than giving young people tickets and additional "no skate zones" for participating in a sport they love, let’s provide them with a legal and safe place to skate.
By organizing and beginning to lobby for a public skate park, these young Menifee skateboarders have already shown a great deal of initiative, creativity, and responsibility. Let’s not ignore this opportunity to fulfill an important need and strengthen our community.
Sincerely,
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