I live in Elmira with my fiancé and 3-year-old daughter, and I support the building of a new community skatepark at Eldridge Park in Elmira.
I’ve seen some people on social media call it a waste of money, say it’s “just another thing for kids to destroy,” and even try to turn it into a political debate because the City of Elmira received a $900,000 government grant for the new skatepark project. Before making those assumptions, I encourage people to look at the bigger picture.
The current skatepark at Eldridge Park is in serious disrepair after being first opened in 2001. The concrete is cracked, separating, uneven, and becoming increasingly unsafe to ride. It has reached the point where simply patching it up isn’t the best long-term solution. That’s why a new skatepark must be built.
The $900,000 grant is helping make this project possible, but it does not pay for the entire project. The community still has to continue fundraising to reach the overall goal. This isn’t about politics — it’s about investing in our community. And, the project is about so much more than just skateboarding.
A skatepark gives kids, teens, and adults a positive outlet. It gives people a reason to get outside instead of spending all day on their phones. It builds confidence, teaches perseverance, creates friendships, and gives people a place where they feel like they belong. For some kids, it could mean choosing a positive path instead of getting caught up in violence, fighting, or other negative influences.
Also, when people hear “skatepark,” they often only think about skateboarders. But this project will also be for BMX riders, scooter riders, inline skaters, families, spectators, and the entire community.
People also forget the economic impact a project like this can have. A modern skatepark has the potential to attract visitors from surrounding communities and beyond. Those visitors will stop at local restaurants, stores, and gas stations. More visitors also means more people discovering everything Elmira has to offer.
Because the skatepark will be located inside Eldridge Park, it also has the potential to bring more people into the park itself. More visitors can mean more support for Eldridge’s attractions and events. Over time, that could help create opportunities for future improvements throughout the park. Every positive investment has the potential to open the door to something even bigger.
I’ve heard so many stories about how beautiful Elmira used to be and how much pride people had in this community.
We can’t go back and relive those days, but we can choose to build a better future. This skatepark is proof that there are still people who believe in Elmira and are willing to work hard to make it a better place. So please join me in supporting a new public skatepark in Elmira.
You can join the Elmira Skatepark Advocacy Group on Facebook.
Be part of the effort to make this project a reality, for young people and families for the next 25 years!
— Breanna Troy is an Elmira resident.
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: New Elmira skatepark has big potential to boost city | Guest Viewpoint
Reporting by Breanna Troy, Guest Viewpoint, Special to the Star-Gazette / Elmira Star-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Breanna Troy, Guest Viewpoint, Special to the Star-Gazette | USA TODAY Network
