arguments for a skate park

Reasons to put a skateboard park in Wilmette (specifically Mallinckrodt)

1. Mallinckrodt has lots of land now available for use and a skate park will not take up anywhere near the whole space.
2. Currently, skaters in Wilmette either skate in the streets, or in the back of schools where parts of the buildings can be danged, and BMX biking is limited to the biker’s yard.
3. Skate Stoppers are now being put in at new construction sites in Wilmette which limit skate-able areas.
4. A skate park would encourage the sports of skateboarding, inline skating, and BMX biking.
5. Skate parks are the #1 choice for recreation of teenagers when polled by Parks & Recreation departments according to the skate park association of the United States of America.
6. Cities and municipalities have an obligation to their communities to provide safe places for their youth to skate. It is an investment in their future.
7. This money can be raised by the skaters beforehand though various means if it is necessary, as well as after construction by charging for the use of the park during certain parts of the day.
8. Studies show that skateboarders are not likely to do drugs because of the commitment skateboarding requires.
9. The average price of skate parks is only $25,000 and is about 10,000 square feet.
10. Companies like Coke and Pepsi have been known to give money to fund skate parks in exchange for having their vending machines at the park.
11. Many teens to not like competitive sports like football or basketball, and mostly non-competitive sports like skating are a great way to get those kids out and exercising.
12. While skating and other similar sports may not be direct team sports, they promote encouragement and give teens a sense of community.
13. There is a large demand in Wilmette and the surrounding communities for a skate park because currently the closest parks are in Glencoe and Glenview.