Let's review what we've accomplished in the past four years:
• Formed a 501(c)3 non-profit status organization called SkateparkPV, Inc. with Mission Statement: Provide a safe and welcoming environment for skateboarding on the Peninsula, where skaters can recreate and practice their sport, keeping them out of harm's way. Back story here.
• Instrumental in Beachsports, now owned by BodyGlove, holding skate camps and events at Ernie Howlett Park in the City of Rolling Hills Estates
• Held an event on the roof of the Peninsula Center Library for over 700 attendees, which included bands and skating
• Held two fundraisers at Whole Foods, gleaning 100% of the profits
• Had a booth at the PV Street Fair obtaining over 1,000 signatures of people in favor of a skate park on the Hill • Created a website, Facebook page, newsletter, held public monthly meetings
• Local artist designed our logo
• Created a :30 second Public Service Announcement which aired on COX demonstrating why the Hill needs a skate park
• Held an Art Show and Silent Auction at Zask Gallery at The Promenade • Held numerous Skate the Hill events at Ernie Howlett Park in conjunction with BeachSports • Had numerous newspapers articles written about our project in the PV News, Daily Breeze, Peninsula People, Our South Bay Magazine, South Bay By Jackie and EasyReader
• Had numerous web articles written about us in PV News, Daily Breeze, EasyReader, The PV Patch, Our South Bay
• Was interviewed on local Redondo Beach radio talk show by Joseph Terry and Jackie Balestra
• June 2012 allocated land at Ernie Howlett Park by The City of Rolling Hills Estates City Council. This land has proved to be problematic.
• Sought public land from Rancho Palos Verdes, the largest city on the Hill • Met with PVPUSD officials who said they support youth recreation. However, skaters not allowed to bring their boards on campus, therefore cannot ride their boards to school.
• Met with Lomita Sheriff Station Captain who says the department likes to know where the kids are and would support a park
• Learned that the City of Palos Verdes Estates does not support active recreation and gives tickets to skaters
• Interested numerous top-notch skatepark builders/designers in our project
• Created strong relationships with major skateboard manufacturers, vendors and pro skaters
• All this done with volunteers who donated their time and money
Today, our skaters still do not have a safe, welcoming place to skate in our community. Today, the sport of skateboarding is growing at a fast rate, is a $4 billion industry. Today, skateboarding is the new bicycling. It is a valid mode of transportation and is not going away.
A popular saying is: If your City does not have a skatepark, then your City is a skatepark.
So I ask you, after four years of active work, does the Peninsula want a skatepark? If so, who is willing to step forward and assist?
Let's discuss.
