Skatepark Grand Opening was Grand!

[Jim O'Bryan]

Standing ovations to Lakewood Skaters Association and the Public Square Group for their hard work and dedication in getting the skate park built.



Standing Os also go out to Mayor Tom George and Ryan Patrick Demro for making this one of their issues and shepherding it through to the end. Also a tip of the hat to council, the city workers, city hall, and everyone that took an active part. It was a grand day for Lakewood.



I am sure we can get Stosh, Vince and others involved to share the story of the long and winding road in the near future, but for now let's celebrate a city that listens to residents and keeps its promises.



The Observer was in full observation mode with over 20 members and 5 photographers in attendance!



This was a party LO did not want to miss!





Jim O'Bryan

[STOSH BURGESS]

I appreciate that some Observers came out. It is a real humbling experience when other "doers" come out and show support for this long awaited addition, that so many brought to life. I think that the Observer is going to be a real positive source of support for those who want to make Lakewood a better place.

[Jim O'Bryan]

I appreciate that some Observers came out. It is a real humbling experience when other "doers" come out and show support for this long awaited addition, that so many brought to life. I think that the Observer is going to be a real positive source of support for those who want to make Lakewood a better place.

Stosh the day belonged to you, Vince and everyone that worked so hard on the Skate Park. We are so very lucky to have good people like the skaters in this city.



Together, we will build the brand.



Thanks again for the hard work.



Jim O'Bryan

[Jim O'Bryan]

I appreciate that some Observers came out. It is a real humbling experience when other "doers" come out and show support for this long awaited addition, that so many brought to life. I think that the Observer is going to be a real positive source of support for those who want to make Lakewood a better place.

Stosh, the day belonged to you, Vince and everyone that worked so hard on the Skate Park. We are so very lucky to have good people like the skaters in this city.



The opening was infectious, everyone had a smile, especially the skaters. It shows what can happen when good neighbors work together towards positive ends.



I got a call from a fellow Observer mentioning his son was there till close, and up and ready to go at 8:00 am, Day 2. After a little work in the yard, he walked down to the skate park, and was very impressed at the older skaters working very hard with the younger skaters. He said, "You know this is a really good thing for this town. We are lucky to have people like them involved." I tend to agree.



I saw the park as a waste of money, and in the wrong location. I did agree that the city had promised a park, and was glad to see some Lakewood politicians working hard to keep the promise. Then Vince dropped me a note to explain many of the aspects I did not understand as a non-skater. I think it took me two notes to understand. After a couple events I attended as an outside observer I was infected with the enthusiasm, and was impressed with new characters to me, especially Vince Frantz, and you Stosh Burgess.



Together, we will all build the brand.



Thanks again for the hard work.



Jim O'Bryan

[Vince Frantz]

Thanks for all the support from the Lakewood Observerati!



I had planned on doing some more extensive "remarks" and thank-yous at the G.O. but I got caught up in the push to get the show moving. I especially regret leaving out City Engineer John Kilgore and Project Manager Bill Corrigan as they helped immensely on many fronts - technically and civicly.



I also want to express my (our) thanks to the tax payers of Lakewood who, as Mayor George pointed out, footed the entire bill for this project.



We still have a whole segment of skaters that would have benefitted from the bowl (now Phase Two) and it's up to us to pay for the second phase. But instead of feeling drained and burned out, the reception of the park by the skaters and the community has been pretty inspiring all over again (personally). Plus, we're seeing many more parents with YOUNG (4-10 yrs) children who wanted to skateboard before but had no place to go to understand the inner workings of the sport.



These parents are also bringing some more energy and ideas to the cause and I am confident that this and future administrations will continue to support the true essence of skateboarding.



Thanks again to all the Observers, Buzzers and community leaders that made the effort to understand the bigger picture and support this project.

[Jim O'Bryan]

We still have a whole segment of skaters that would have benefitted from the bowl (now Phase Two) and it's up to us to pay for the second phase. ....

Vince



What's the bill for the bowl?



I would think now is the time to push. You had leaders from every aspect of the city there soaking up the good vibes.



One interesting side note was a young BMXers saying to me. What we need now is something for the bikers. Stan brought him over and he proceeded to explain all the benefits that a BMX bike trail would bring to the city.



The Skate Park will empower another one hundred doers. By the end of summer the list of accomplishments from people getting involved could be be nice and long. Seems like the "skaters" are heavily involved in a good many of these projects.



Jim

[Vince Frantz]

We do need a BMX park and getting a skatepark is the first step. I have spoken to a number of BMXers and they are basically where we were 10 years ago. Their numbers are slimmer nationwide but Lakewood and Rocky River are home to huge population of BMX bikers. Add to that the number of freestyle mountain bikers and you have a pretty large group to serve.



As of today, I have been thinking that this issue needs to be addressed very publicly before we have more BMX problems at the park. "NO SKATEBOARDING" is plastered all over the city, but BMXing is still pretty under the radar.



I am not sure who could start it, but I think if possibly Bryan Rybak (owner of Spin Bike Shop) where to get a group going and we started some public meetings, I know a HUGE group of supporters that will help them get their park.



It is time that the public recognize these sports individually instead of cramming them in the same "extreme" corner. Many parks out west are starting to specialize in one or the other. Rollerblading fits with skateboarding very nicely, but the number of rollerbladers has dropped to almost nothing. Skateboarding is a very different culture from BMXing. In the old days, we rode side by side because we knew we had no options and there wasn't that many of us anyway. 15 years later the numbers are staggering and still growing in both.



Maybe a article that looks in to this situation would help expose the issue. Not sure if I am too "inside" to write it but would certainly make someone's job easier.

[Vince Frantz]

What's the bill for the bowl?

Probably around $100K average. It depends on the design. We could build a $175K bowl in the space we have. But we don't want to wait that long.



Adding the bowl will make this park even MORE unique as it is one of a handful of parks that don't mix "bowl" and street-style. Most try to combine elements from both in one space. This just cuts the usage down even more as it favors the small percentage of skaters that enjoy both. When MOST enjoy one or the other. Splitting them actually does please 100% of them 100% of the time. I don't know why it has taken people so long to figure this out.



Oh yeah, this is opening in Kettering Ohio (pop. 58K) on June 11th:



http://www.ketteringoh.org/skateplaza.shtml



Talk about disruptive innovation.