The Observation Deck

I was hanging around Lakewood Park with Kevin Galvin yesterday afternoon and we came up with a suggestion for the Skatepark.

Each year, the parade breaks up at Lakewood Park by 12:30 or 1pm. Most people generally scatter and go home, then return sometime after 4pm to get a spot to watch the fireworks.

During the 1-4pm time frame, the park is pretty empty. Except for the community groups operating booths and the kids using the skate park.

The booth operators rely on foot traffic to raise money for their organizations. Some thought it would be cool to have some sort of skating exhibition or event during these hours to keep more people at the park.

I'm not sure how feasible this idea is (most people already have plans on the fourth), but it might be worth exploring.

Actually Mike, Vince Frantz called me yesterday saying the exact same thing. We talked and agreed we should do something next year.

haha.. yeah I just saw this post.

Way back when - in the late 80s, Napoleon Ohio held an annual skateboard competition at their public ramp. It was smack dab in the middle of the city park and even afforded a great view of the jimmy buffet cover band that played the main stage. In what became the final year of the contest (1991) I actually took first place, beating out the hometown hero who had locked the top spot for the past 4 years. It was a story of new fangled technical skating vs old school style. The judges smiled on me that day and the tribute band's rendition of a joe cocker remake of an american classic helped me pull off 3 flawless runs. Queue the fireworks.

The Lakewood park will be the source of many stories that form the bonds between skaters young and old. Already kids have been learning new skills and discovering potential they never knew they had.

Vince, Stosh, Mike

This is funny the Lakewood Motoring Society was thinking the same thing.

This year when we pulled into the park, we lined up and people came by and checked out the cars. Most of us had commitments so we took off, but next year we plan to stay and picnic and enlarge the car show part of the day.

Get the Historical Society to have their Old Timers Game that day as well.

Let's get this together, then deliver a plan to city hall. Take a little work off of Melissa Garrett's shoulders as she has to be one of the busiest in city hall.


Jim