Proposal
for a portable summer skate park project at Fowlerville’s United
Brethren Church Summer 2003
for inline, skateboard and BMX.
I. Portable skate park summer project at Fowlerville’s
United Brethren Church—a general description.
II. Phase I.
a.
planning/design.
b. obtaining
materials.
c.
construction/testing.
d.
inauguration.
e. summer
schedule development.
III. Phase
II.
a. program development.
b. skate park
improvement/maintenance.
c. summer
competition.
IV.
Project requirements.
V.
Design, building and program
development team.
VI.
Diagram of portable
skate park components.
I. The One and Only Summer portable skate park
Project is sponsored and created by David and Andrée Weimer,
residents of Fowlerville who are experienced in organizing events and
activities for the urban sports and for the enthusiasts who practice them. Their website, www.oneandonlyskatepark.com chronicles their experience in this field.
In
Fowlerville, we see a simple need and have a simple proposal. We propose to organize, oversee, plan,
supervise and carry out a summer skate park construction project in a church
parking area in Fowlerville. Outlined
in this paper are the details. Key
points in this proposal are its direct involvement of local inline,
skateboard and BMX enthusiasts in all aspects of the project; and
activities and a design that address the beginning, intermediate and
advanced practitioner.
Returning
to Fowlerville in December 2002 from France, David and Andrée saw something
immediately: a lot of skateboarders, inline skaters and BMX riders. There was, and is, no existing structure in
this community to support their activities.
David
and Andrée created a non-profit organization in France, DREAM EXTREME,
through which they organized events, donated equipment and built a public skate
park for a municipality in Southern France.
We
require almost nothing from the United Brethren Church aside from the use of a
suitable paved area to house the skate park.
We are experienced in working with urban sports enthusiasts and are
qualified and prepared to do all that we propose, including financing the
project.
We
propose to build a portable summer skate park as a sort of urban sports ‘summer
camp’ for Fowlerville skateboarders, inline skaters and BMX riders. This park will be built under our
supervision and will host two planned summer events—an inauguration with a ”jam
session” and an end-of-summer competition.
It will also be the site for regular workshops and lessons.
This
portable summer skate park will be installed throughout the week and will be
supervised by an adult One and Only Skate Park Project member at all
times. Helmets and other protection
will be recommended.
Carefully
planned, supervised and responsibly done, this summer skate park project will
invite any local interested urban sports enthusiast to become a part of
something. The skate park will be free
and open to all.
image: BMX trails and skate park discussion
meeting in the Community Park, Saturday, June 7, 2003 with (L-R) Chris Schaffier, David Weimer,
Ryan U’Ren, William Pittman, Jeff Zumbach, Calvin McFarlin and Chris Cassel
Fowlerville’s Portable skate park Project—Summer 2003
II. Phase I: estimated
duration one week.
a) Planning/design. One
and Only Skate Park Project creator, David Weimer, has already developed a
preliminary design and plan for the skate park (p. 14), however, this plan will
be reviewed by participating inline, skateboard and BMX enthusiasts.
1. Portable
skate park project team
members will supervise and direct the construction of six skate park modules
and two slide rails systems in accordance with the skate park design developed
by participating urban sports enthusiasts and One and Only Skate Park Project
leaders.
2. Five
young members of United Brethren Church will be invited to assist in the
construction, testing and summer program development of this portable skate
park project. Parental consent forms
are required.
3. Portable
Skate Park Project team members will be the only ones permitted to work
with electric tools. There will be
adult supervision at all times during skate park construction.
b) Obtaining materials. Participating skate park team members and assistants will accompany project leaders to local lumberyards, metal shops and other locations and assist in loading and transporting the necessary materials for this skate park project.
1. Portable Skate Park Project supervisors
will oversee and direct this activity.
2.
Skate park team members and assistants will learn about different
material types and will be invited to ask questions and actually be a part
of this phase of the project.
c) Construction/testing. As
in the material selection phase, project team members and assistants will work
together to build a skate park under the supervision and guidance of project
supervisor, David Weimer, an experienced carpenter and skate park module
builder.
1.
The skate park will not be opened for public
use until quality control is complete.
Modules are built and tested for safety (construction and ride-ability).
2.
Refreshments will
be provided for assistants and project team members (coolers with orange drink,
water, soda, etc.)
3.
Gloves, safety
glasses, all tools, first aid kit, adult supervision, instruction in proper
tool usage and other required resources will be provided by Portable Skate
Park Project organizers, David and Andrée Weimer.
4. Placement of a sign
and opening the skate park for public use.
d) Inauguration of the Portable Skate Park Project.
1. One week following the completion of Phase
I—after inline, skateboard and BMX riders have a chance to use the skate
park and become familiar with it—an inauguration event will be held on Saturday,
from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. (times are flexible).
2.
Representatives of United Brethren Church will be invited, along with Portable
Skate Park Project supervisors, project team members and assistants,
interested community members and the print media, for a “ribbon-cutting”
ceremony. Volunteers and project
workers will be recognized; a demonstration of skateboard and inline skating
will “kick off” a “jam session” where all urban sports enthusiasts are invited
to use the skate park.
3. One and Only Skate Park Project leaders have contact with local bands that are willing to play live music. Local inline hockey players will be on hand to play a demonstration match. Demonstrations of graffiti on spare wood are also offered. Juggling, flatland BMX and other unique activities are also possible—all organized by the One and Only Skate Park Project.
4. No charge or fee will be required. This project is free to all and open to the public. It is organized, overseen and carried out by
the Portable Skate Park Project creators, David and Andrée Weimer, along
with a core construction/design/supervising team and a host of volunteers.
5. A name will be chosen for the skate park at its
inauguration! Recommendations will be taken from those present and a vote will
decide the most popular name. Graffiti
artists on hand will create a sign for the skate park that will be put up each
time the park is set up. This skate
park and its events are free to all and open to the public. This is organized, overseen and carried out
by the Portable Skate Park Project creators, David and Andrée Weimer,
along with a core construction/design/supervising team and a host of
volunteers.
e) Summer schedule
development.
1. Lessons and workshops are going to be offered at this skate
park. Experienced inline skaters,
skateboarders and riders, at no charge, will teach inline, skateboard and BMX
techniques. There will be a sign up
sheet for each week’s lessons.
2. The skate park will
be set up for approximately 5 hours (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Monday, Wednesday and
Friday, and for 6 hours on Saturday and Sunday (12 to 6 p.m.). The times are flexible, but this is the
general idea.
3. The skate park will be removed and stored when not in use.
4. United Brethren Church leaders are encouraged to contribute
to the summer schedule of the skate park’s activities! The purpose of a summer schedule is to offer
a variety of different interesting activities centered on this skate park. Everything in this proposal is open to
discussion and we want to work with your church to make a most memorable summer
possible.
III. Phase II: estimated duration two-and-a-half months (end of June
to beginning of September)
a) Summer program
development. With enthusiastic practitioners of the urban sports involved, it is
certain that there will be many new ideas for activities centered on this skate
park. A weekly schedule will be posted
at United Brethren Church, as well as at various local shops, businesses,
restaurants, the post office, etc.
United Brethren Church and One
and Only Skate Park Project leaders, David and Andrée Weimer, will
approve all activities.
b) Skate park
improvement/maintenance. One and Only Skate Park Project
leaders, David and Andrée Weimer will finance the portable skate park’s initial
design of six modules and two slide rails.
Undoubtedly, kids will want more.
We are prepared to improve and add to this skate park as funds become
available.
1. If urban sports enthusiasts are inspired to do a can/bottle drive
to pay for additional module construction, this will be considered and
encouraged. Basically, the summer
project will encourage kids who wish to take an initiative to do something that
they care about. We want them to feel
the pride of accomplishment when this summer is over and they are able to look
back and say, “We did it!”
2.
There may be local businesses that will desire to sponsor additions to
this portable skate park. This will be
good for them, as their business name will be associated with a project for
young Fowlerville citizens, and good for the skate park and the kids involved
in this summer project.
3. Portable
Skate Park Project leader, David Weimer, will maintain and repair this
skate park. It is in the interest of
all the kids using the equipment for us to have a safe, well built, solid, clean
skate park. Project team members and
assistants from United Brethren Church will work together on this aspect of the
summer skate park project as in all other aspects. Repair techniques, maintenance tricks of the trade, etc., will be
passed on to participants.
c) Summer competition.
Before kids return to school in the fall, an
inline, skateboard and BMX competition/event will be organized with beginner,
intermediate and advanced classes.
1. Portable Skate Park Project supervisors will oversee and direct
this activity, coordinating with United Brethren Church leaders.
2. A representative of United
Brethren Church will be invited to present prizes. Portable Skate Park Project team members, project
assistants, interested community members and the print media will be
invited.
3. Project leaders, David and
Andrée Weimer, working with young dedicated urban sports enthusiasts from the
community, will organize and oversee a competition of Beginner, Novice and
Expert classes. Judges will be competent
practitioners from each of these categories.
The kids will be the judges.
4. As before, One and Only Skate Park Project leaders have contact with local bands that are willing to play live music. Local inline hockey players will be on hand to play a demonstration match. Demonstrations of graffiti on spare wood are possible. Juggling, flatland BMX and other unique activities are also possible—organized by the One and Only Skate Park Project. We are open to any ideas and input from United Brethren Church leaders.
5. No charge or entrance fee will be
required. Contest participants will be
required to wear helmets and to sign a release form. This competition/event is free to all and open to the
public. It is organized, overseen and
carried out by the Portable Skate Park Project creators, David and
Andrée Weimer, with a core construction/design/supervising team and a host of
volunteers.
6. The PORTABLE SKATE PARK PROJECT creators, in cooperation
with local merchants and others, will provide trophies and prizes. An “MC” will call the event using a
bullhorn.
7. A “jam session” will
follow the competition, at which time; all urban sports enthusiasts are invited
to use the skate park in a supervised, safe manner.
IV. Project Requirements
Basic requirements for the installation of a portable skate park at
Fowlerville’s United Brethren Church:
1. Approval by United Brethren Church of this proposed
skate park project and permission to begin work the week of June 16th, 2003.
2. Area (paved) to host the construction project and skate park. We will be building the skate park on
site at the actual location of the future portable skate park. We need approximately 40’ x 100’. Each day, upon completion of work on the
skate park, all materials and tools will be cleared away, freeing the parking
for cars. This is a portable project!
3. Sign created by United Brethren Church of Fowlerville and Portable Skate
Park Project leaders, David and Andrée Weimer, posted at the skate park at
all times.
Welcome to the Portable (future name) Skate Park at United Brethren Church
This portable skate park is for the use of Fowlerville and its
surrounding community. It is a USE AT
YOUR OWN RISK attraction and is supervised
by onsite skate park personnel.
Inline skating, skateboarding and bicycle (BMX) riding
are hazardous recreational activities.
All participants must wear a helmet and are recommended to wear
additional protective equipment while riding or skating on/around this skate
park. Failure to wear protective equipment
while riding or skating on/around this skate park may result in broken bones or
other serious injury. United Brethren
Church and the Portable Skate Park Project do not assume any
responsibility for injuries.
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK
Helmets required to use this park—other safety equipment recommended.
Be honest about your skill level and use this facility at your own risk.
Inline skaters, skateboarders and BMX riders only.
This is a smoke, alcohol and drug-free skate facility.
Be aware of others around you for everyone’s safety.
Be respectful of other patrons and of the park—no profanity.
No standing, sitting or hanging out on the equipment.
United Brethren Church and Portable Skate Park Project supervisors have
the right to eject from the park persons who break park rules or engage in
activities that endanger others.
EMERGENCY PHONE LOCATED XXX
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CALL: Portable Skate Park Project (517)
404-6322/404-6333 Police 223-YYYY United Brethren Church main office 223-ZZZZ.
V. One and Only Skate
Park Project (Summer 2003) skate park design/building/program development team:
Chris Cassel (Inline) : 228 Addison St. 517
861-7333
Calvin McFarlin (Skateboard) : 204 Addison St. 517 223-9523
Kyle Pobursky (BMX) : 872 Sycamore. 517 223-1597
Chris Schaffier (Skateboard)
: 1754 Treexxx Dr. 517 206-8511
Matt U’Ren (BMX) :
428 Meadow View 517 223-9231
Ryan U’Ren (BMX) :
428 Meadow View 517 223-9231
David
Weimer (Inline/project creator) : 103 Lynn Dr. 517 404-6333.
There will
be two of each, of these three types, for a total of six modules.
They can be arranged in several different
configurations.
The actual
heights of these two rail systems may be slightly different from those pictured
because of design limitations.