2021-05-04 12:57:13 -0400
To: Middletown Township Council
Kids - of all ages - in Middletown (Delaware County, PA) Need a Skatepark
We ask our elected officials here in Middletown to build a skatepark for their residents.
Middletown has preserved large amounts of land, and should use a small piece of that public land to provide a great recreational space - a skatepark - for their residents. Here are the facts:
* Middletown has over 512 acres of parkland available for use.
* The average neighborhood skatepark is about 12,000 square feet. That's only 0.27 acres -- a tiny fraction of the 512 acres available.
* Currently Middletown has only 2 parks, Sleighton and Lenni, to serve 16,073 residents.
* 18% of Middletown's population is under 18 years of age. That's almost 3000 kids who literally have no active recreational places to go, yet live in a town with 500 acres of public green space.
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The Delco Skatepark Coalition believes that kids -- of all ages-- need more avenues for recreation and outdoor activity. We are residents in Middletown, in Media - all of 19063 - and represent the skaters in our community.
Skateboarding is one of the most accessible, inexpensive and creative sports out there. It appeals not just to kids but also to parents who grew up skating and want to pass their love of this sport to the next generation. The skating community wants a place to play, practice and show off their ability, and our children need a place to learn this sport.
Middletown has preserved large amounts of land, and should use a small piece of that public land to provide a great recreational space - a skatepark - for their residents. Here are the facts:
* Middletown has over 512 acres of parkland available for use.
* The average neighborhood skatepark is about 12,000 square feet. That's only 0.27 acres -- a tiny fraction of the 512 acres available.
* Currently Middletown has only 2 parks, Sleighton and Lenni, to serve 16,073 residents.
* 18% of Middletown's population is under 18 years of age. That's almost 3000 kids who literally have no active recreational places to go, yet live in a town with 500 acres of public green space.
-----------------------------
The Delco Skatepark Coalition believes that kids -- of all ages-- need more avenues for recreation and outdoor activity. We are residents in Middletown, in Media - all of 19063 - and represent the skaters in our community.
Skateboarding is one of the most accessible, inexpensive and creative sports out there. It appeals not just to kids but also to parents who grew up skating and want to pass their love of this sport to the next generation. The skating community wants a place to play, practice and show off their ability, and our children need a place to learn this sport.
Why is this important?
Let's be frank. These days, everyone needs more places to play outside. The reality of the 2020-21 pandemic has shown us, as residents of Middletown, that our outdoor space could be better utilized. This rings particularly true for school-age kids who have outgrown the playground or don't play organized sports. Skateboarding is a great outlet for those kids.
This will also have a positive and inclusive impact on our community. Skateparks are incredibly popular. They are used by skateboarders, rollerbladers, roller skaters, those in wheelchairs, scooter riders and stunt bikers.
Visit any public skatepark and you will see an incredibly high use of public land per square foot. A skatepark will increase the use of our public, tax-funded park. It will also provide an outlet for the ever-growing sport of skateboarding and showcase Middletown as a place where the community comes together to support this great sport.
This will also have a positive and inclusive impact on our community. Skateparks are incredibly popular. They are used by skateboarders, rollerbladers, roller skaters, those in wheelchairs, scooter riders and stunt bikers.
Visit any public skatepark and you will see an incredibly high use of public land per square foot. A skatepark will increase the use of our public, tax-funded park. It will also provide an outlet for the ever-growing sport of skateboarding and showcase Middletown as a place where the community comes together to support this great sport.