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Page 12 of 12
Exercise 3: Starting Today
There are a few aspects of the advocacy effort that will have enormous positive impact on the group’s public image later. Not every group will pursue these types of activities, but those that do will accomplish their long-term goals more quickly. These projects will become public evidence that the group sees the value of community and wasn’t just created to entertain their own recreational desires.
Nearly all of the world's most respected skateparks have a robust stewardship group that is empowered by the governing agencies to make impactful decisions for the facility.
Volunteer As Park Stewards
Arrange regular park clean-ups, especially if the community currently has a skatepark. Consider some technical repair recommendations if that skatepark is dilapidated (see the Maintenance chapter for more information on skatepark repairs).
Show Up For Other Groups’ Functions
Most community groups schedule work parties of some sort. A sure-fire way to gain their support is to come out and help them with one of their work parties or events. If the skatepark group initiates this partnership, it will have an even greater positive impact. This is especially true for those groups that have an interest in possible skatepark sites, such as park stewardship organizations (“Friends of Pioneer Park”). One doesn’t need to show up with 50 skaters, usually three or four (depending on the event) will be fine. There is nothing more exciting to a fellow advocacy group than knowing that other groups are paying attention to their efforts.
Address The Community Need
If street skating is a problem for the local business community, meet with them to discuss ways to minimize property damage and/or the nuisance of street skating. Note: The skateboarding advocate will mostly be listening at these types of meetings. Frustrated business owners don’t often get to discuss their concerns with a real skateboarder, so be prepared to take some heat with cool, detached professionalism.
Pay Attention To The News
Although the community probably has a daily newspaper, there may be many smaller periodicals devoted to particular community interests. It will be valuable to know about them, who to contact when it’s appropriate, and what their area of interest may be. Don’t forget local Web sites and blogs that might be covering issues that could impact or influence skateboarding or skatepark opportunities. If nothing else, having a grasp of local news and issues is a great way to break the ice with politicians and business leaders.
Learn To Skate Day
Putting together a Learn To Skate Day is a great way to promote the positive aspects of skateboarding. Consider working with the Parks Department to procure the necessary waivers or coverage that this kind of event often requires. Be sure to have helmets handy. Schedule your event for June 21, International Go Skateboarding Day, to give local media an additional reason to cover it. Events that link a small community to a global movement make great local news stories.
Be There!
Meetings, meetings, meetings. Show up and be prepared to speak if asked. Become a regular face. This isn’t going to happen overnight, so the sooner they see that the skateboarding advocates are not going away, the sooner they’ll realize that the issue is serious.
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