Because youth need a safe place

Meet Milo, a 13-year old from small-town Newark. He attends Newark Junior High School. Like other youth, he plays organized sports. But, his “free time” and creative outlet is skateboarding. He likes this unorganized sport because it challenges him as an individual. It’s a convenient (dawn-till-dusk) and inexpensive (a one-time cost of $60, including board and helmet) sport.

Milo knows his mom Teresa works hard and is tired when she gets home from work, so Milo doesn't like asking for a “lift” to the Fremont Skatepark, which entails a 40-minute roundtrip commute; after all, mom already shuttles him to and from soccer practice. Obviously, Milo can’t drive himself.

Many Newark teens like Milo want a local skatepark. They like skating. "It's either skate or video games." They need something to do: “I’m bored, skating the streets." They want to socialize. "I need a hangout." They want independence: "I don't want to ask my parents for a ride [to neighboring skateparks]."

If every Newark resident gave just $3, we’d be able to put a great deal more momentum behind this project, stimulating more public support, corporate giving, and grants.

Give Milo and other Newark youth like him a safe place to skate. Give them a place where their parents know where they are. Give them a shot at a real childhood, not a life of iPads and gadgets!

Angela Akridge
Volunteer Executive Director
Newark Parks Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
www.newarkparks.org