Skatepark for Newark Kids, Not Screen Time

Question: What do you call a fat skater? Answer: A beginner.

The City of Newark needs a skatepark for kids to encourage physical fitness among Newark youth—to compete with glowing screens. In so doing, we can reduce obesity in Newark teens.

According to 2010 census data, our total population was 42,573, and the total population under 19 was roughly 28%. The city and the school district expects the percentage of families to increase as a result of the hundreds of new single family homes approved for development and currently under construction.

According to 2011-2012 CDC (Center for Disease Control) data, approximately 17% (or 12.7 million) of children and adolescents aged 2—19 years in the United States are obese. In 2011-2012, youth “with parks/rec centers/sidewalks in neighborhoods” have a lower obesity rate. We all know this!

Newark has a wonderful recreation center (I’m a member!)—with a cutting edge gym, basketball courts, soccer and baseball fields, swimming pools, preschool, and classes, but the routes to the center from home are not safely skatable, walkable, or bikable, hours are limited, and not all teens can afford the membership dues. Newark needs a free skatepark.

The Fremont Skatepark at Lake Elizabeth is an exciting and popular place, especially during peak skatepark hours from 4pm to 6pm, with tons of cool “shredding” on Friday evenings. It’s a must-see, and it’s a wonderful model for the City of Newark. Newark is not the size of Fremont, but the skatepark’s size, structures, rules, and site amenities could easily be modified to meet our unique needs.

Unlike many organized sports (yes, skating is a sport!), skating is free for kids and the equipment is affordable. Skating is the preferred activity for many of our teens, and the sport is on the rise. According to Skatepark Association International, in 1996 there were three (3) skateparks nationwide; today there are 4,000+. To reduce obesity rates, we must tap into the interests of all Newark kids.

Meanwhile, sedentary activities such as video gaming, texting, and YouTube browsing are consuming more and more of our kids’ free time. I’m reminded of an editorial cartoon by Garry Varvel in which he reminds us that we are competing against kids’ technology gadgets: Three kids sit studiously on a sidewalk bench with index fingers racing across their hand-held devices, while two other kids pace back and forth, glued to their iPads; all the while, a desolate, unimaginative playground in the background.

Our Newark teens need more exercise (and play)! What about a skatepark? Newark’s General Plan envisions a skatepark. Let the Newark City Council know that you agree with them, and let them know that the time is now.

Angela Akridge, Executive Director

Newark Parks Foundation
Sign up for News & Events: http://tiny.cc/SignUpWithNewarkParks
Facebook: Friends of Newark Skatepark or Instagram: @newarkskatepark
Website: www.newarkparks.org
Email: info@newarkparks.org