Uxbridge Rotary Skate Park

Sport is much more than mere exercise and having fun. Sport plays a vital role in the growth of a child both physiologically and socially. It contributes to a child’s development of self esteem and self worth. Peer status and peer acceptance are established and developed within sport. The environment to develop these skills is an essential component of the equation. To create such an environment for individual sports we wish to build a permanent Skate Park within the Town of Uxbridge. In early 2011 two committees were formed to determine a potential site and location for a permanent Skate Park within the Township of Uxbridge. Since the 1980’s the Township of Uxbridge has seen temporary skate parks of various designs and locations. Currently we have no Skate Park within Uxbridge. Our committee’s mandate was to present a potential design and location to the residents of Uxbridge and deliver our findings to council. These two committees are comprised of volunteers from within our town. We are an eclectic group. From youths to grandparents; students to business owners. We are a reflection of our community. What we all have in common is the belief that our community will be better served by having a permanent Skate Park Our committees took their responsibilities seriously. We analyzed locations based on a template used to determine criteria for a skate park. We analyzed who would be the users of our park. What would be the best design that would satisfy new participants as well as seasoned skate boarders. We determined the following: Our park would be used for skateboarding, BMX biking, in-line skating and scootering. We arrived at two potential locations based on our template. We knew we needed a unique design that would be a reflection of our community. We believe that we have succeeded in all of the above. Our park has been designed by one of our volunteers, a nineteen year-old landscape design student who considered all of our criteria. This unique design allows for all types and levels of participants to use the park at the same time. It includes seating for spectators and gardens, trails and an artistic aspect that is a reflection of our community and will allow our park to be the destination that we believe it can be. In September of this year we presented our findings to the residents and our council has endorsed our recommended location and design. We have support from our local community groups such as the Optimists and Rotary Clubs. We have a web site donated by one of our members to keep our community informed. We have a commitment of funds from our Town and we have already held fundraising events. We have a build date of 2012. We are however lacking in funding to cover the entire cost of this park and at this point are still looking for grants and funding to help see our park built. Our youth committee members have already seen how a group of committed people can take a vision and translate it to a reality! We look forward to going forth with this project and anticipate a successful future for the new Uxbridge Skate Park!