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Etobicoke News Local Development Skate Park development in South Etobicoke
| Skate Park development in South Etobicoke |
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| Written by Jason Duck |
| Tuesday, 31 March 2009 20:16 |
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Last nights community consultation at the Eighth Street Royal Canadian Legion was kicked off with Councillor Mark Grimes of Ward 6 filling people in on what previous subjects have been covered over the last few months. Councillor Grimes next introduced Ariel Stagni who represents New Line Skate Parks they are a company that design and construct skate parks to integrate into communities across the world. "Its been estimated there are about 15 million skateboarders in North America, people are getting involved with sports that are considered non traditional such as hockey, soccer and baseball and are starting to move onto other sports such as skateboarding," explained Ariel.
Ariel put together a slide presentation of the skate parks New Line which have been built around Canada and the world, one being in Brantford, Ontario. He showed how skate parks can integrate with the community people, wildlife and public areas beautifully. Ariel commented how the local art communities have had a large part of the design and layouts of their developments. Councillor Grimes addressed the complaint of Skateboarders skating in areas they shouldn't. Because of this so called problem a budget has been created to accommodate the growing skateboard population, this budget will have enough funds to create two skate parks a year in the G.T.A.
Councillor Janet Davis from the Beaches of East York area came to relate her experience of Stan Wadlow Park in her Ward that was opened last year. She too had concerns with the construction of the park but all was put to rest when she saw the results after the parks completion. Councillor Davis also talked of the negative myths about skateboarders that people may share. The Stan Wadlow Skate Park is right in the middle of a residential area with other facilities around it such as baseball diamonds and soccer fields. Davis also mentioned that the initial concerns of the noise generated from the park were laid to rest as there have been zero complaints of noise after the parks completion. She went on to say that the young skaters that were involved with the park design and planning were very proud of their park, and that they look after and protect it. Nick from the East York Skateboarding Association commented that at least 10 former opposers of the East York Skateboard park had come to him after the parks completion and said "Wow, this is one of the best things that has happened to our neighborhood, one of the greatest things ever, thank you" These were people that were previously very opposed to the idea of the skatepark. Nick was very proud of the park that he helped to plan and build which took over 9 years from the early stages of park design to the completion. Another observation he made was the wide age range that is seen at the park, from toddlers to seniors who are regular at the park observing the comings and goings. Rob Mark re-caped on how the skatepark committee vetted over 20 different locations for the proposed skate park and found that the Eighth Street Parkette was the most suited for the venue. He reminded the community of the issue of safety which was the first concern of the committee. Jay Manderino of C.J. Skate Board Park and School related a personal experience of how skateboarding has had a possitive influence on his life from the age of 8 years old. Manderino is a great person and a successful business man who cares for the people in our community. He commended the people who have had a large part in the planning process of this new project, and reminded everyone that this is a positive move for the Lakeshore area.
Brian Hughs of Sumo Skate Shop said that this skate park will offer a great alternative to expensive sports such as hockey that local families just can't afford to get their kids involved in. This will be a free park that will have swings and other activities near for people of all ages, this park will not be replacing these things but simply be sharing the space. Jem Cain a Lakeshore resident who is actively involved with the community, urged "all that have not been to a skate board park before to GO! You will be pleasently supprised". The concerns about the skate board park mainly circled around the amount of sound coming from the park and the skaters travelling too and from the park. Mark Van Der Zalm (Van Der Zalm + Associates) all the way from British Columbia spoke on this issue. Mark is someone who speaks with authority because of his experience in developing and building parks of all kinds around the world. He mentioned that his company builds skate parks right besides homes in Europe, but he went on to say that in Canada people like to have their space, in this case it's a challenge, but it is possible. My views on the matter is that we can't all keep on taking from the community with out giving anything back to it. This development is one way to teach the youth of the Lakeshore the value of giving and working towards something positive in our area. Now it's down to you as the community of Etobicoke to voice your opinions, please add to this story weather it's for or against the South Etobicoke Skate Park. For the skaters amongst us, please add your thoughts on what you would like to see in the park, for instants rails, ramps, bowls, flat banks, benches, stair sets, mini ramps etc.
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Comments (24)
  written by Rob, April 01, 2009
Non-skateboarders should know that for most skateboarders it isn't just a past time but that it's life style and a culture. Within that culture is art, music, creativity and open-mindedness. Kids who get involved in skating initially for the fun of it may also find that this exposure to the culture opens new doors to healthy interests besides skateboarding that could benefit them for the rest of their lives. I've seen it first hand. Without that exposure you lower the potential for a great thing like this to happen. In addition to this, some kids may find that they are more interested in skateboarding than other sports but without the right facility there chances of sticking with it lowers. I think that residents of that neighborhood should really think hard about this opportunity and balance out the pros and cons of having a skatepark in their neighborhood. Sure skateboards can be noisy as they ride by your window, but it's a small moment of 'discomfort' out of a 24 hour day. The chances of you being right by your window and a skateboarder riding by at the same time are low, and only occurs during the during ideal wheather (approx 6 months of the year)
To the residents in this neighborhood: You never know that there may be kids in this neighborhood, now or ten years from now, that find an interest to skateboarding because they are exposed to it with the park in their area, and consider the kids in that area and throughout Etobicoke, since this is a central, safe location which is easy to get to. This could benefit their lives greater than you could imagine. Now consider if denying them this is worth a small moment of acoustical comfort. In regards to the green space, there is a massive park at the center of this complex, somehting that a majority of Toronto residents don't have. I think this skate park could be built without removing any large tress and can really enhance this park. There has to be balance and as mentioned in the above article in a city like Toronto you can't take without giving. Go to a skatepark, such as Stan Wadlow, and see for yourself what a skatepark is. You may be be suprised to find that a skatepark will discredit percieved stereotypes associated with skateboarding and skateparks.
 written by Jason Duck, April 01, 2009
Well said Rob. Another one of the complaints from the local residents was the possibility of their shade being taken away, maybe a huge over-vert at the park would serve both purposes of fun and shade.
Thanks for the comments
 written by Lynn , April 02, 2009
I do not have an issue with a skatepark being built in Etobicoke I think it is a great idea. What I have an issue with where they want to build it. Do you know that this area surrounding the location where they want to put it has been plagued by issues for years such as drug dealing being down in the open, gangs, shootings and various other criminal dealings. The concerned residents in this area have been trying for years to clean it up and now to bring another large group of kids and more vehicles into this already over burden area is the issue. This is not fair to them I am not saying that the skateboards kids are going to cause problems but it could cause problems with other groups int he area if you get my drift. Is Mr. Grimes going to have security there to stop problems that may occur or from stopping large groups of kids hanging out there all hours of the night.
Concerned member of the community.
written by Rob, April 02, 2009
In response to the concerned member of the community:
The situation of that community is understandable and unfortunate. However, if you were to put a skatepark in an area away from residences, in otherwords secluded just enough, you increase the chances of that skatepark being visited by unwanted visitors and potential crime. But kids and parents have the right to feel safe and that they are close to help if they ever needed it. From my understanding the commitee placed safety, which includes visbility, at the top of the list for the site selection. Skateboarding is a rapidly growing sport. Kids today are getting more involved even if they play hockey or baseball. It's just one of those activities that has become the norm for kids. The park will be well used and if it is placed in a high density neighborhood, such as this, it could discourage crime because police may feel the need to check up on these kids to make sure they are safe. Also, there is a police station and a fire department within less than five minutes away. You couldn't find a more ideal location when it comes to safety for the park users and the community. It is very unfortunate that crime exists in this neighborhood and even more unfortunate that the community feels that such a positive thing will increase crime. In regards to more cars. It's located between three major bus routes and one bus that stops right in front of the park. I don't think neighbors would notice an additional five to ten cars, if that, passing by the park. And skateboarders don't drive Honda CRX's with serious bass and 8" mufflers so you wouldnt have to worry about that. In addition to all this, I attended the meeting on Monday and I saw that Councilor Grimes got ripped into pretty badly and even heard threats of not voting for him again. That's not fair to him. He didn't pick the site, the skatepark committee (regular ol' citizens of ward 6)recommendd this site. It was their decision not Mark's. He's only trying to do the right thing and get the community invloved and give these kids the park they deserve. If people can have facilites to play hockey and baseball so should the skateboarders have a place, just as safe and beneficial to a community, that they can go to. This just happens to be the best, not perfect because there's no such thing in Toronto, place in ward 6.
 written by Sadie Pocket, April 02, 2009
Regarding the safety issue, times have changed in the world. The days of letting your kids out side to run around for the day, not expecting them home until after dark are long gone. Parents have to be able to keep an eye on their kids now, this location would serve this purpose. The fact is, this parkette can have multiple activities happening at once. There still could be room for swings and slides for the younger children and park benches for people to enjoy the talents of the skaters. This will always be a community parkette but now has the prospect of being so much more. The Vanderhoof skate park on the East End of Toronto has people from all ages participating or watching the skate boarding. This park could be as good as Vanderhoof if it's built properly and with good direction from people who actually skate.
 written by Aga , April 10, 2009
Jason Duck
It is with deep regret that I comment on the article written by Mr Jason Duck, whose journalistic skills are in question here. This article (?) as Mr Duck suggests is his account of the consultation meeting organized by Mark Grimes with community members who are pro the skate park LOCATION only he forgot to mention a strong representation of those who are AGAINAST ! NOWHERE in the above account of the meeting are included several protests by local residents , who took a big and vigorous stand AGAINST the location. They have put a stress on the fact, that at NO TIME they were approached about that project or consulted about the location. This so called "consultation meeting" was in fact a meeting with biased agenda, geared towards presentation by skateboarding lovers. Councillor Davis gave inacurate information about the Wadlow Park and with her every response, the distance between the skate park and senior's home was diminishing by 100 feet. Her final response was that residence building is only 100 feet away from Wadlow skate park, which is untrue as witnesses who went there say, not only it is further than 300feet but there are trees that muffle the sound in between. Meanwhile, 8th street Park is only 40 feet from a row of townhouses and Lakeshore Village Artists' Co-Op, where over 20 households filled with professional artists will be directly affected. Just 40 feet (!) from the building in which artists count on peace and quiet as these apartments are in fact live-and-work studios that permit them to work on their artwork and live with their families, which include small children. These families, as well as the families from buildings on Eight Street are COUNTING on that small green space, which gives their kids and themselves refuge all throughout the year, but especially in hot summer months. The City has recently put a new set of swings in this park and an additional bench was founded by Lakeshore Lumber.Toy library is visiting the kids once a week and for the residents of Eight Street apartments , who do not even have balconies, it is a BIG DEAL ! For lots of families, this is the place where they spend their summer vacation with their kids as it is the ONLY park for small children that offers appropriate playground and adequate shade ! Nowhere in Mr Duck's account from this meeting are mentioned the voices of those, who weren't consulted and are opposed to THIS LOCATION , and want to save so much needed park. Mr Duck's account is yet another proof that the whole meeting was biased and staged in favor of presentation of the people who are interested to pour a HALF A MILLION DOLLAR blob, which is going to be covered with ugly gang graffiti like in the Wadlow Park. At this so-called "consultation" meeting, the community was not presented (or consulted) on any other locations. It is a sad day for journalism, when it hides the truth and has to resource to such shallow tricks to achieve approval to spend half a million of taxpayers money. Concerned mother of two. Shame on you Mr. Duck.
written by Jason Duck, April 10, 2009
I am glad that Aga with the above comment has shared her opinion of me and of the skate park to the whole community. Nowhere have I claimed to be a journalist, I am merely providing a platform to which people like Aga can share their thoughts of local developments and such...
I am a skate boarder myself and support the building of a skate park here in Etobicoke, but remain neutral to the politics of it all. I just wanted to get a conversation going. I have obviously succeeded with my attempt to do so. If Aga had read my full article, she would have noticed that I even requested the community to voice their opinion, asking for people to share their thoughts for or against the park. This is a user powered website, it\'s up to you as community members to write stories from your perspective. I just wrote the above story from my perspective. Please feel free to do the same, and then I can leave you a lovely comment about your journalistic skills. Jason Duck Concerned Skate Boarder
 written by area resident, April 10, 2009
As stated and understood, it is entirely a good thing to provide an area for skateboarders to have specific to their needs. However, as stated in the meeting by concerned residents, and something that I feel was not adequately addressed, was the noise issue associated with skateboarding. Over the years we have had consistent noise problems with skateboarding around and in front of these buildings. This was all in very close proximity the same as, or even further than the distance from buildings to the proposed 8th street parkette. As stated in the meeting, the concrete is of a much finer consistency in skateboarding bowls, however, the banging created by skateboards hitting the pavement after jumps is the issue here. I'm sure finer grade cement would not cushion this impact noise, and over an all-day period and into the evening, consistent noise like this would be an obvious annoyance to residents surrounding, and even beyond, because of echo. This is of particular concern to the adjoining Artist's Co-op, where members live and work from their apartments, and they would struggle with this type of consistent banging, as has been the case with skateboarders around buildings. This noise is not unlike construction 'banging' noise, and can be very jarring. Common sense is skateboard parks should be located around existing allocated sports parks and arenas, as this would appropriately 'take care' of concerns about noise in neighborhoods, and create an obvious general area where sports can be enjoyed by all those involved and their families without 'forcing' it on others who's quieter way of life may be affected. Having quiet is just as much a right as choosing to be involved in sports with it. I believe consideration must be given for this quiet needed in a neighborhood where residents have worked very hard getting through growing pains of vandalism, consistent construction, and gangs and gang shootings, and who have as a community finally brought a well-deserved sense of peace and tranquility to this area.
written by Aga, April 10, 2009
To Mr. Duck:
Sorry Mister , but NOWHERE in your account about the meeting you are neutral. Your account is STRONGLY BIASED by including ONLY the facts about all the speakers (and their names) who were PRO the Skate Park. EXPLAIN to me HOW IS THAT NEUTRAL, because frankly I am puzzled... I am NOT against the Skate Park at all, but I am strongly against: 1. The claims that it was a consultation meeting 2. The distorted and biased account about the meeting 3. trying to imply neutrality, where clearly Mr Duck is pro the Skate Park in the Eight Street Parkette. As a resident and a mother of two, I am strongly opposed (along with other 70 residents of the area who signed a protest petition) to depriving us of the beautiful green space which is 8th Street Park.
written by Jason Duck, April 11, 2009
As I stated in my previous comment, I wrote this article from my perspective...Your role as a concerned mother of two and an active community member is to write an article from your perspective. This way everyone gets their say on the issue at hand.
The purpose of this website is not to fuel arguments and disagreements, but to have an opportunity to have your feelings heard throughout Etobicoke, and in this case South Etobicoke. I recommend using your time in putting a well thought out article from your viewpoint of the skate park instead of using your time on knocking my article. I think you will have a much better chance of being taken seriously by doing this. In publishing your comments about this skate park, I feel that I have been very fair and un-biased to you and the 70 other concerned residents of the Eighth Street area, as one of the moderators I could have published only the positive comments and remarks. Wherever a skate board park is built there will be some people against the idea. You simply can't please all of the people all of the time. I look forward to reading YOUR article from YOUR viewpoint on the skate park.
 written by sam mauerhofer, April 11, 2009
i would have to agree with MR. Duck this is not a situation that calls for people bashing one another opinions.
i had a chance at this meeting to speak with elderly ones and some opposed, and yes there are both people opposed and for the skate park. (but as i am a one person i do not speak for those people its just what has come up in conversation with them) what i think is wrong with all this bickering is that it gets us nowhere and we need to come to an agreement. i personally think we can all agree that no one wants to lose valuable green space , i am a very big skateboarder and i as well don't want to loose green space. but what we need to realize is that just cause a skatepark has the potential of going into this park it does not mean we will loose a square piece of laid cement. just as a path way through a park can be incorporated into a park, so can a skatepark. i think it is very important that people do there research first before jumping to conclusions about how this park is going to be incorporated and effect the neighborhood. just as in the case for noise, the speaker who had done much research had found that a skateboarding on a skateparks cement (which is made for reduced noise)is equal to the sound of a basketball hitting the ground, and that there is more ways to reduce noise with sound barriers. why not let us go through with making the drawings up of how it will look and if you have problems with the layout and how much green space is incorporated, then voice your opinion and we will come to agreements on incorporating more green space(we are not close minded) we are open to your opinions, we welcome them. But please do not become closed minded and not apart of this project which has the potential of improving our diversity and benefiting our youths. we need to put the stigmas that we have on what skateboarding is and become educated about this process and grow with the community. i hope we can all be happy in the end we are a community and we need to come together as one.
 written by #17 of approx. 189 of 8th & 9th St. affected residents, April 14, 2009
As residents living opposite to the 8th Street Parkette, we had expected to be included in all of the decision making processes that affected us. However, none of us who will be directly affected by this "ruling" has had any input in this project. Now we demand this right! Our opinions and concerns are being trivialized. Must we be forced to see our tax dollars used on the right idea BUT misspent for the wrong location? NO! It is our duty to our children and to our community to stand up, speak up and insist that the funding for our skateboard park be spent competently.
During Mr. Grimes' "consultation" meeting at the Royal Canadian Legion, cruicial and precious time was wasted attempting to educate the already enlightened on the beauty of skateboard parks and the value of the skateboarding culture. YES! OF COURSE! We Stipulate- THIS IS A GIVEN! This development is a necessity for our youth. We are NOT opposed to the existence of a skateboard park nor for our children's rights to a safe place for their recreation. However, we DO have issue with its anointed location. Apparently, a primary requirement for our skateborad park was expansionability. Our 8th Street Parkette has the ability for neither expansion nor for amenities: parking, sanitary facilities, future enhancements or growth. This is Mr. Grimes' and Ms. Davis' conclave of disinformation and propaganda... Sit tight for the next 17 points!
written by Rob, April 14, 2009
Its great that there is a forum for people to voice their opinion about the park and the article written. Jay simply expressed the positive points about the meeting. He could have commented on the abundabce of negative comments at the meeting but the purpose of the article and this forum is to voice opinions and views. To say the article is biased isn't right considering some of the comments in this forum are totally biased.
This forum is a great place to get feed back from the community and hopefully people will stop doing it with bitterness and atongonism, because that doesn't solve anything at all. It only increases bitter feelings. The last meeting WAS a consultation meeting. The skatepark committe didn't have time the to visit every neighrborhood to get feedback because they are volunteer members of the community with. They spent a lot of valuable time considering the most appropraite and safe location to build a skatepark. It wasn't Mark Grimes' decision. They presented this idea to South Etobicoke at the beginning of March at to get feedback from South Etobicoke. This last meeting was to get feedback and consult with the community around 8th st. parkette about the decision of the skatepark comittee. It not to say that it was the final decision. I disagree that crucial time was wasted through educating the community. Some of the above comments in this forum show clearly that some people were not educated enough about skateparks and skateboarding. Unfortunately the benfits are still being over looked with this skatepark and location. It seems like most people feel the park should be secluded or placed in another neighborhood, but again, all feasable options were looked at as far as location and this was the best site. The proposed size of the skatepark would take up 1/4 to 1/3 of the park, leaving adequate space for the playground to be relocated on the site and room for children to play. In response to the concerned mother of two: If even one of your children skateboarded, which may happen one day, wouldn't you rather they be close to home and near people you know, and where they both can use the park at the same time without having to drive to a park? This may be the situtation for alot of parents in that community. This is just one of the benefits of this park. Noise can be buffered out through good design and trees. But the community should give the designers a chance to present their solution before deciding you do not want this park. The designers are aware of the communities concerns and the community should deffinately voice their opinion in the most positive way possible. I encourage everyone who aposes this location to consider the benefits and be openminded about it. And present positive feedback to Councillor Grimes and get involved. Art is a big part of skateboarding and what better place than to have it within an artists community. Skateboarding teaches openmindedness and creativity because its culture is all about art and creatvity and skateboarding itself is an art form and creative. Its about creating new ideas and having fun while building confidence and finding hidden talents. This skatepark will build on the diversity of that neighborhood and will provide a space for kids of all ages to go. You won't catch a fifteen year old playing on the swing set at this park but a skatepark will help include the older kids at this park creating a more family oriented environement. And I know for a fact that little kids love to watch skateboarders. I urge people who are opposed to this site to consider that there are solutions to the percieved problems and that so much good will come out of this than imagined. Remember that this is the BEST, not perfect, location in South Etobicoke. All other locations considered did not present the safety and benefits of this location. Noise issues can be solved, green space can be improved on with interesting park design and landscaping. Checkout Newline skateparks on the web. This design firm, who is involved with this project, has designed skateparks that have won landscape architecture awards and got local artists involved with the work, as was presented by Ariel Stagni at the meeting. This park will not just be "blob of concrete" but will be attractive and inviting. And please put your opinions about skateparks and skateboarding from the past behind you because skateboarding and park designs are changing and skateboarding is what will help develop the characters of youth into something positive. Don't deny the kids in your neighborhood this. Maybe this neighborhood needs to get the opinions of their children and youth before making the decision for them.
 written by Maclean Elliott, April 18, 2009
"I want to see a bowl park with lots of transitions. One reason that so many skaters stick to skating street is that is all they are exposed to. If you put in a few mini ramps and bowls in communities, you will find that the skaters will adapt to the terrain. Their just isn't enough skate parks around, especially ones with good pools and bowls.
LaKeShOrE sKaTeR" ..... you are a noob man...the reason the skaters of lakeshore skate street is also because they want to protest without even protest ( just stating ) that they should make them a street park so they dont have to make the business owners and schools getting pissed every day...such as redmond...me and my friends skated there everyday...and what we wanted say is that...WE NEED A OUTDOOR STREET PARK...forget about it man...And plus you obviously dont care about other skaters... dont you walk outside...you see street skaters everywhere man. and also... VERT/PARK/BOWLS are really boring after a very short time...and the people who made would of thinkin' it was a whole waste of time when they see nobody skating it...only you the little majority of lakeshore skaters skating in this a little bowl... What im trying to say is... Vert/bowl/park are boring ... what we need is a mini skate plaza...you will see much use out of it then...Trust me...and Joe Dunn...trust me if you brought all the lakeshore skaters into one room...and divided them into VERT and STREET Take a BIG guess who would win...think about the community not your self...your saying that a lot of skaters want vert...but your just lying on your own behalf... STREET WILL ALWAYS OVERCOME!! 
 written by you dont have to know , April 18, 2009
How about u guys **** off and stop bull******* cuse this is geting gay stop ******* around with all the little kids they belive every thing.. we kno that this is not going to happen.
 written by Joe Dunn, April 18, 2009
In response to Maclean Elliott, I have been skate boarding for around 24 years so I am certainly not a "noob" man. I want bowls and transitions because that is what I mainly skate, I also skate street. Maybe you should open your eyes to the possibilities of skate boarding and not create such a divide between street and bowl skaters. The fact is, you can skate street everywhere but you can't skate bowl's everywhere, WE NEED MORE BOWLS AND TRANSITIONS. That's just my opinion, it wasn't to take away from the "street skaters section of the park". VERT/PARK/BOWLS are far from boring, you should give it a try sometime and see for yourself, if your good enough any way!
written by as long as I'm skating I dont care what I skate, April 25, 2009
How about an authentic pool, since we don't have one available to the public. I don't think an entire park of bowls can work because the kid has a point. Street elements is what kids know and what they like. I can relate, but over the years I've gotten into tranny and I love it. But it takes time to learn how to skate it well. So kids should have the option of swithing it up whenever they get bored of one or the other. There needs to be balance in skateparks, attempting to cater to everyone, but being smart about it.
A plaza is the right idea and hopefully that's what will happen. But there deffinately needs to be some tranny and I think a genuine kidney pool, or whatever pool, would be killer. Toronto needs it.
written by Jason Duck, May 14, 2009
Here is an interesting little City TV link on the park...http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1632714912?bctid=22944619001
Check it out and, share your thoughts...
 written by Jason H, May 28, 2009
One can debate this issue by calling out all of the negatives to the proposed Skate Park @ the 8th Street Parkette. However, I'd like to focus on the positives. From my perspective, this is a great thing for the neighbourhood kids and teenagers.
As an individual who skateboarded a great deal as a pre-teen and teenager (which kept be out of trouble), and as a current local homeowner in the area - I feel that the skateboarding community has been misrepresented by those who wish to label skateboarders as outsiders in our community. I challenge these local residents to please acknowledge that skateboarders live and go to school in your SW Etobicoke community. Look around you. Some kids aspire to be great baseball, or hockey players. Some aspire to be great skateboarders. I’m sure you’ve heard of the great baseball or hockey role models. However, have you heard of some of the great skaters that these kids look up to? Let's discuss. Some kids gravitate to role models such as Roy 'Doc Halladay, (Jays-baseball), Sindey Crosby (hockey), or Wayne Gretzky (hockey). For me, growing up in the '80's and '90's, it was following skaters like Tony Hawk, Mike McGill, Christian Hosoi, Steve Caballero, and Eddie Reategui - and trying to 'stomp' the hottest new trick that kept me riding with my friends (and out of trouble). This generation of skateboarders look up to the likes of Bucky Lasek , Marisa Dal Santo, and Pierre Luc Gagnon, among many others. You may have heard of heard of Shaun White? - the kid phenom who won the men's gold for snowboarding halfpipe at Torino? He started as a skateboarder – and is still one of the best skateboarders around. In conclusion, I will ask you to consider few hypothetical questions: Would you feel the same way if the city was sponsoring a new baseball diamond (albeit I admit that the 8th Street Parkette as not big enough for this ) in our community? Hmmm... What makes kid skateboarders different from kid baseball players? Hmmm... Are skateboards louder than an average baseball game? Hmmm... Signed, A different perspective .
written by Jason Duck, May 28, 2009
Interesting read Jason H, thanks for your input. I look forward to skating with you one day at the New Skate Park....Where it will be is still a mystery. By the way what kind of park do you want? Bowl, street, transition or mix?
 written by Sid Vicious, July 06, 2009
I would also like to see more bowls and pools but ones that also have a roll in section and not all drop in. Not everyone can drop into a pool or bowl and love to ride them but can't because there is no roll in ramp. The bowl at East York Skatepark is a perfect example, it has plenty of edge to drop in and the perfect roll in ramp. Vanderhoof is a good one too.
 written by Thrasher!, July 08, 2009
Snake Bowl, Snake Bowl, SNAKE BOWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!!!! I can't find a single snake bowl in the GTA so having one in my area would be AWESOME!
 written by Wave Boarder, July 22, 2009
I would also like to see a bowl or snake bowl with a roll in ramp. But not a roll in that is the same degree as the bowl. I would prefer a roll in ramp with less degree ( a slight transition into the bowl ). It is very difficult to drop in on a wave board at such a high degree.
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