The Greenport Skatepark Festival and Renovation / Expansion project promotes positive community lifestyles, green space, family gatherings, visitor destination and positive village revenues.
Background
It all began at an abandoned restaurant site in Greenport in 1995, with humble beginnings, forward vision, and the perseverance of a small group of local youth. A year later in 1996, the village of Greenport along with local parents recognized the need to support local young people in their efforts to have a place of permanency to call their own.
Together, the village and community parents bought wood and donated time to build out an area that consisted of four ramps and a rail situated at Moores Lane fireman's racetrack. The regular congregation of youths in the park area over less than a span of two years time had warranted former mayor Dave Kapell to present to the village board a plan to expand and build out a full fledged skatepark in Greenport.
October 30, 1998, the Greenport Skatepark officially opened with a demonstration featuring professional skateboarders. The sheer volume in attendance to this first event, made it clear that this recreational space was positively embraced by our community and visitors alike. For many years following, visitors came from all over Long Island, the boroughs, and other states to enjoy this recreational monolith. In more recent years, the skatepark has struggled in its life cycle, waiting to become the positive recreational meeting place it once was for our community youth and village visitors.
Benefits of Non-Competitive Progression- Oriented Sports & Skateboarding
NCPO and skateboarding in particular are high in popularity amongst adolescents as well as adults because of its health benefits and low-costs.
NCPO sports center around outdoor activities exercising one's physical and mental well being in keeping with the natural connection to the outdoor environment and our surroundings.
NCPO, promotes healthy fun activities that provide for individual growth amongst friends, youth groups, families, and community. According to a study in the April 2006 issue of Pediatrics magazine, skateboarders have better self-esteem than their less active peers. It takes countless hours of practice for skateboard enthusiasts to master a new trick. Imagine the feeling of accomplishment that comes after landing a leap for the first time. It doesn't go away when you leave the park.
NCPO and skateboarding are more than just sports, they are lifestyles. NCPO sports and skateboarding have long been a part of the East End communities. Some examples would be skateboarding, biking, in-line skating, surfing, sport fishing, boating, sailboarding, and kayaking.
It is currently estimated that there are approximately 3,000 new skateparks in the U.S., with an average of three new skateparks opening each week.
It is important to nurture and support special places that help us to shape communities, and our family infrastructure. Greenport Skatepark is one such place.
On Long Island there are very few infrastructure available like the one we already have in our own backyard. This resource provides our community as well as surrounding townships and visitors alike with a positive youth and family experience.
Sources Cited:
How it All Began, http://www.geocities.com/Pipeline/Slope/5650/history.html
How to Get a Skatepark in Your Town, http://sk8parkinfo.com/getpark/
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