Skateboarders

motherof2 · Senior Member

RE: Skateboarders

motherof2 · Senior Member

I can see the recreation commission getting involved with these kids, too. I can see a "team" or "skateclub" with organized events and classes. It would take an adult with the knowledge and skills to put this together, though. I am not that person, as I only know what I read on the internet. I think this city could benefit from city held tournaments! I see that other such events in Kansas draw up to 50 kids from other cities and states.
Also, the summer camps held by the rec center could benefit from this park, as well.
From what I am reading, there are many organizations out there (like the Tony Hawk foundation) which give grants to cities trying to organize like this. To me, it seems the timing is just right. The city said this would take 2-5 years to accumulate the grants and funds necessary to build the park without raising local taxes. If the school is going to take 2 years to build the new football field, this would be just about right. In the meantime, the kids could continue their quest to raise money on their own!

always_sabrina · Member

As I've said in a past post I've moved my family to a diffrent town so my husband cant be of any help now. But there is still a few of the guys still in Ark City. Ask around if they might be interested in helping out.

It is true that there are plenty of vacant buildings around Ark City that could be fixed up with a little imagination and sleeves rolled up. All it takes is motivation and support.....look at Sally's place. The skate board shop is a really cool idea. When I first moved to AC there was a cute soda shop where Gamino's is now. My husband still remembers hanging out there after school. I know that Grave's put in one but if someone could bring something like that back it might make it again.

Backintown · Member

motherof2 I like your idea. We do already have a skate shop and a hang out for kids. Maybe the city would consider opening the teen center more then just Friday and Saturday night. It would be nice if they could add more of a kitchen and server real healthy food. Hire the youth to work it. Make it more available to the high school kids adding live bands and open mic nights. Right now it serves a wonderful service I would just like to see it grow. What the town needs is a youth clothing store. Somewhere that is young hip and urban. The town is full of so many broken children. All they need is a little help mending and guidance. As a community it's time we step up. I do like your ideas motherof2. I look forward to seeing more.

chuck · Newbie

You make an awful lot of assumptions for someone who, number one, isn't reputable as an involved father. Number two, how DARE you "assume" that those children are from broken homes, don't go to church, haven't bathed or combed their hair, etc. Their backgrounds and upbringings have little to do with the fact that if you look around at the surrounding communities and what THEY do for their youth, compared to Ark City, you will see not only cleaner, safer, more up to date recreational facilities all across the board...but you will also see no children riding and skateboarding on Main Street and vandalizing public property. And for the record, those degenerates that you speak of have more to offer this community than you obviously care to realize. One is a gifted pianist; plays by ear but also reads music and has since 4 yrs of age. Another child, volunteers at the Humane Society and puts in more hours of physical labor than most used book store owners I know. I don't want to leave out the gifted program student who makes straight A's, tutors 3 days a week after school at the public library, consistently tests in the 98% percentile OVERALL in the United States on required assessment tests, has taken her ACT and SATs scoring above average on those as well AND has already been awarded honors and scholarship opportunities from Duke University....at age 13! Fact is, Mr. Commissioner, these children dress and conduct themselves in a manner in which they feel makes them "acceptable". Certainly not acceptable by you, but by their peers. They "fit" somewhere. They certainly wouldn't feel accepted by your commission members if any of them had read what you had to say about them. These are polite, smart and generous youth. They need direction and structure. They need our community to expect something better than what is expected from them now. Child Psychologists everywhere will tell you, a child only gives what is expected of them. Expect more. Try getting to know them. I appreciate you supporting the repairs needed at the current skatepark, however, if you EXPECT them to tear it up, they will. These children have been given a bad rap. It's not right, It's not fair. But it is reflective of this community.

S23246G · Senior Member

Awful negative, aren't ya.

dddfan · Veteran Member

First thig that I want my gifted child to do is ride a skateboard around town looking like he just came out of a trash compactor.

While these young people may be gifted, and may spend all this time in community service, it is their demeanor and attire that get the attention, most of which is negative.

That's too bad, for them and for the community.

Don't cry too loudly, if you choose to be a non-conformist, you will pay the price for it in some manner.
The hawk

S23246G · Senior Member

Hey kid,

Don't go out of your way to look all rebellious and "bad" (with your bondage pants, colorful hair, bones through your nose, etc.) and then complain when people treat you that way. You asked for it, after all.

someone_new_to_CC · Newbie

Why are we using this as a sterio type? Please don't judge someone just they way they dress. Yes, sometimes there are good reasons to judge, but not kids. They are expressing themselves they way they know how. Dress the way you want, but as lone as it's not hurting someone, then let them be who they want to be without others judging them. It is not our place to do it.

dddfan · Veteran Member

Someone New To Cowley County,
You have a point.
When I was younger and went to school, we were required to dress appropriatly. Clean clothes, clean bodies and hair.
My mother would not think of letting us leave the house looking like these young folks do.
Our clothes were clean, and sometimes mended, but we didn't purposly leave home looking like a dumpster diver.
We expressed our selves with discussions and sports, and sometimes physical altercatiions.
The way they "express" themselves is nothing more that laziness, and a lack of self respect.
Nothing wrong with riding a skate board, my brother was a "boarder" in his youth, sad to say he is no longer with us, but in all the times I watched him and his friends, they didn't resemble these kids in any way, sans the boards.

Backintown · Member

Have any of you watched TV lately? The kids you are talking about are the most up to date and stylish kids in the community. They are expressing them selfs and staying in touch with their culture. I'm sorry that some of you can't see that. Open minds are key to progression and change. No one in this city is willing to work for change as hard as they are. Stop looking at their clothes and start looking at what they are doing. I don't think there are very many people in this community that really care about clothes. If they did maybe a nice dress shop would survive.

I love being Right · Veteran Member

There is no way I would let my kids out of the house dressed that way -- regardless if it is the "in" thing to do. What exactly are they expressing anyway??

Greenpiece · Veteran Member

I am pro anything for kids, Arkansas city has the attitude that the onlything a kid should do is be involved in organised sports or go to church socials
THe city should build a great skate park, speaking of the skate park the city cant even take care of its water plant,, am i the only one that sees the spilled chemicals on the street all the out to 41st road to the river where they dump them
Think i might send some pictures off to KDHE and have them take a look, this cant be good for the enviroment

cancer628 · Newbie

How dare you? Who or what gives any of you the right to predetermine what my child or anyone else's child is like AS A HUMAN BEING just because of the way he/she dresses? And then not have the courage to sign your name? Let me tell you, my DAUGHTER does NOT dress that way, has beautiful hair WITH highlights that I pay big bucks for, we shop at Maurice's and Stage and Hollister AND she's anything but a hoodlum. However, she enjoys skating. DO NOT stereotype all skaters. What all of you don't get is that this, like everything else, is a PHASE!!! Kids have to be allowed to figure out who they are, ON THEIR OWN. Last year, she was into pink and flowers. Two years ago, it was all sports; clothes, bedding, curtains...all her favorite teams. This year it's Fallen and Vans and DCs. Whatever. It doesn't matter. Please don't attack these kids because of their appearance. Don't sit back and be judgemental about something you don't understand or have the control to change. And hope that no one singles your child out like you've done mine. See you all at tomorrow night's Commission Meeting. Please come see my daughter and all of her friends try to make a difference for themselves and the future generations of kids who want to be outdoors, learning how to do things others only sit around and do with their Wii.

me2 · Veteran Member

This is not back in the day anymore. Things are way different than they used to be. My kids have been through different stages of dress wear, even the gothic look. They have not been perfect angels, but I think they are growing up just fine. I encourage my kids to express their individuality to a certain extent. I am aware and also explained to my kids that many judge harshly on what you wear, what you drive, and what your house looks like and that is a part of life. I for one work hard at not making snap decisions about another person and I not sayin i don't, that is only being human. Maybe all those making some snap judgements about these kids need to step back and take a good look at themselves in the mirror. Maybe they wanted to be completely comfortable ,must of been a little scary for some of them. How old are these kids? If they are the ones I see quite a bit, they must be middle school and high school age? Maybe they didn't necessarily feel that mommy and daddy needed their back at the meeting. Maybe they are growing up a little? (Oh the horrors of that!!) Oh, and I also commend these kids for having the guts to stand up to a city commision that they have probably already heard so much negativity about.

S23246G · Senior Member

My child is also someone who hangs with the skaters, but only at school, because I will not let them hang out up town, or anywhere else for that matter, with that group. My child made the mistake of telling me that the majority of those kids are into dope, and I will do anything and everything I can to keep my child away from any and all activities where these skateboarders are congregating without adult supervision. Even though I don't think my child would be dumb enough to do that, I won't be taking any chances.

Those of you who want to bury your head in the sand and think that those kids with the bones through their noses and the tie dyed hair are just expressing themselves are welcome to do so. But ask them 20 years from now if they, or any of their skater friends, ever tried drugs, and I bet they will surprise you.

motherof2 · Senior Member

Personal appearance is not reason to judge someone. I get a lot of slack from my grandmother on the way that I dress and wear my hair. Fact is, I'm a tomboy. I hate dresses and heels and only wear them when I absolutely HAVE TO. Some of this just comes from a generation gap. Probably like the one we are seeing with us and the skaters.

However, when I was in school there were kids who dressed just the same as the kids you are describing. What saddens me to say is that these kids were the ones who could not "fit in" with the Preps and Jocks no matter how they tried. So, in retaliation they went to the extreme. They did everything they could to be opposite of those who would not accept them. I'm not saying that is what's going on here, just pointing out something I observed in my past. (I was known to wear an army jacket and do-rag to school.)

If this IS the case, I believe these kids really need a skatepark. If this is something they excel in, they should be encouraged. They need to feel proud of something! I don't know about you, but some of the things they do on those boards amazes me. You can not tell me this is not a REAL sport. These boys and girls are atheletes who deserved to be recognized.

However, one thing the kids need to learn: When you are going to talk to city officials, you might want to put on your skirts and dress slacks. There is always a time and place for these things (no matter how much we hate them) and this is one of those times!

Backintown · Member

It's funny to me that a board about skaters seems to only be discussing their dress. I spend a lot of times with these skaters, I hear what they talk about, I see how they act, I was one of them. Sorry I should say I am one of them. I dress punk/emo. I also LOVE dresses and heels.

The real problem is that they need a home and guides. You are right when you ask about drugs. Many kids do drugs. It's not just the skaters. I know more people that have smoked pot then have skateboarded. Saying that these are the only kids that do drugs is a joke. The community needs to be working together to provide a good drug free place for kids to go. I agree that the current park is not that place. It could be.

Lets stop talking about the way these kids dress and start talking about how to help. Since the Skate Coalition formed they have been working very hard. It's members have stopped skating on the sidewalks downtown and are working with the REC Center on where might be appropriate.

If the Commission votes tonight to destroy the skate park everything those kids have been working for is gone. Their home will be destroyed. Can we as a community let this happen?

I hope not

cancer628 · Newbie

First of all, I can guarantee you that she has never tried drugs. Second, you're crazy if you think that you can prevent your child from experimenting with drugs just because you keep them caged up in the house. In fact, by trying to "protect" them from it, you're quite possibly pushing them toward it. I can't speak for the high school aged kids uptown, it's possible, maybe probable that some or most have tried it. I can't even speak for the middle schoolers, except to say that there's a reason that kids turn to drugs. It can usually be traced back to their family and upbringing. I'm not saying that drug use is ok because it's not. But my daughter's never tried it, smelled it, seen it or been around anyone who uses it. That I can assure you, not yet anyway. I hope she never does. But I know I can't keep her locked away to prevent it. The key is education and communication.

S23246G · Senior Member

The education and communication goes without saying (or at least I thought it did). I have talked to my kids about drugs, and how who you hang out with can cause you to be guilty by association. I have bright, intelligent children, who are too smart to try drugs (I hope), because they know it will hurt their future.

But, I will still not expose them to it by letting them hang out with the kids who are drug users. Peer pressure is a powerful thing.

motherof2 · Senior Member

If you are talking about pot, that's one thing. If you are talking about heroine or meth, that's another. If your kids "experiment" with these, it's over. I do not know many people who tried it who did not have their lives destroyed. They become instant addicts and for that reason, I say keep them under lock and key. I always tell my kids and their friends, "It only takes one bad decision to ruin your life forever." Case in point, my brother. He was a very sweet and caring young boy. Today, he is sitting in prison in Missouri and scared to death he will not stay clean when he gets out. Many of his friends were heroine addicts in high school. Do not kid yourselves, drugs are not something we should take lightly and shrug off as inevitable.

Patrick · Senior Member

Last night the city commission voted to remove the deteriorating and almost irrepairable parts of the skate park. There has been some emotional response to it, but I would like to tell why I agreed to remove these items.

About 2 months ago a group of skaters came in to tell the commissioners how bad and unsafe the skate park is. Not one had any good comments about the skate park. Each told of injuries that had occurred, damage to their skateboards, dirt and rocks on the surface, and other problems.

The commission checked with the parks department and found that the equipment at the skate park is effectively rebuilt four to five times per year. At this point the material underneath the metal has worn out from being repaired so many times and the metal will no longer fit together.

To protect the kids, I agreed with the other commissioners that the parts that were unsafe and not satisfactorily repairable should be removed. This leaves only 1 part which is pyramidal in shape with a flat top and a bar down the middle. This morning I was told that this particular piece is "too fast" and not functional for skating.

I was also told that the city should have a plan for replacing the skate park. I am sure the city needs to be involved in replacing or rebuilding the skate park, but as in other facilities much help is needed. This park was mostly paid for by a grant and citizen help, but possibly wasn't made of the proper materials for a long term park. If and when we can do something in the future it should be done properly so we don't have a similar problem every few years.

The city should be involved, but a citizen committee and the kids should help with the important details such as design, proper materials, maybe location, and other things. There is a skateboard coalition that is working to create a better situation. Perhaps if they or the city could obtain a grant, or raise funds, or find some special financing to help make this happen. The commission acted to protect the kids after they told us of the dangers. To spend a significant amount of money replacing the equipment the commission would have to hear from a large number of people that are for spending tax dollars for part or all of a new skate park.

It would be nice if we could all work together to come up with a solution for what has become a very popular sport. We could help get the kids off private property and into a safer environment. And as a note, throwing ideas at the commission probably won't help much as we have little or no experience with what skateboarding is today. Getting together with the skateboard coalition and working through them towards the city would help with proper information on design, materials, dollars, experience, suggestions and other things. Hoepfully they can create something much better than we have had in the past.

Patrick McDonald
City Commissioner

Backintown · Member

It seems the commission has voted to remove any unsafe obstacles in the skate park. I agree that these obstacles are unsafe and that fixing them wont fix the problem. What I want to know is, is anyone going to rebuild? The skaters have lost their first battle. Is the war over. Should it be?

motherof2 · Senior Member

The skatepark was dangerous. My son was severly burned on the metal once. Good idea to tear it down. I think the city would get a negative reaction if city taxes were raised to fund another one. Just my guess. Anyone care to comment?

Greenpiece · Veteran Member

I would rather my taxs help build a skate park for kids than the purchase of four hundred thousand dollars worth oif flower pots to sit on main street

cancer628 · Newbie

taxes weren't raised to put in place the one the kids have now. taxes have never been raised to repair the problems. I still say there's a reason Winfield Skate Park goes unscathed while ours always seems to have it's issues with vandalism. Any possibility it could be reconstructed in a better section of town? Look where Winfield's is.

Greenpiece · Veteran Member

Face the facts out city is ran by a bunch of old fuddy duddies that cant see past their nose, and will not listen to the younger generation that is tring to lead the community,,

motherof2 · Senior Member

I would support a skate park, I'm just worried that others would until their taxes were raised. Maybe we'll do a poll?

cancer628 · Newbie

Salvation Army Banquet/AC Skate Coalition

Backintown · Member

RE: Skateboarders