Delightful Surroundings will Brighten Residents

I attended the Potomac-Sterling Community Outreach meeting earlier today which was held for residents to speak about issues in their community to the Board of Supervisors. It turned out more like a bitching whirlpool, most of the speakers seemed to just re-word each other about all ready known problems. The most popular complaint topics were crime, gangs, illegal immigrants, education issues and new recreations for youth.

I'm not too familiar with the current solution plans for each of these, but from what I've heard, most of them seem to be working inside of each problem to try to fix it. I'm guessing these plans have been in existence for atleast a couple of years and they are still major issues. I know they take more time than a couple of years but I think if Loudoun doesn't pick up the pace they aren't going to go anywhere with their strategies.

Well, the Skate Project has another option for Loudoun's communities, thinking outside of the box. Our mission is not only to provide legal skate areas but to improve the community at the same time. I was actually surprised that there were very few/small comments at the meeting regarding new solutions that would improve communities.

I know for a fact that providing this community with a skate plaza will eliminate most of these major issues. For example, the site of the Vancouver Skate Plaza used to be a populated with the homeless, drug dealers, gang related activies and other sorts of crime. The thought of constructing a skate plaza there was a huge risk but resulted in proving a huge point for all communities that are in need. It drove out all of the eyesore issues, provided a legal skate area and created a delightful new community landmark. Knowing this, we can easily say a skate plaza is a healthy solution to a majority of the issues in our communities.

Skate plazas also benefit the community by being inherently multi-use. They can feature sculpture or design works by prominent artists, serve as a public park, suitable for lunching, picnicking, or as a concert or play venue. It could also have its own unique look and can define the city in which it's built.

If there is a 'run down' looking community, its bound to attract unpleasant residents. Adding delightful features to that community, such as skate plazas, will replenish its look, its feel and the people living there; not forgetting being a gnarly place to go skate.

Delgaudio's 'Cesspool' Extravaganza - join us in Sterling Park!

On Monday, June 20th, Sterling Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio commented about Sterling Park, on WAMU 88.5 FM Radio, that easily caught attention. He stated that illegal immigrants are to blame for turning Sterling Park into a "cesspool", meaning a pit for retaining sewage; a filthy receptacle or place.

After 9 years of service, I don't believe you have dedicated your time for research Mr. Delgaudio. First you insulted the Loudoun County Skate Project and skateboarding by publishing false statements in our Loudoun Observer article and now calling your own city a "cesspool".

I have been around Sterling for 17 years and I know for a fact that illegal immigrants are not the only ones to blame. For one on my list, I believe greedy businesses are guilty too.

Take a good look at the picture above, does it look familiar? Probably not anymore. The area behind Burlington Coat Factory in Sterling is a mecca for local skateboarders, the large flat space, smooth mellow hip, and quiet surroundings are just a few of its kind aspects. Over the years of its existence, Burlington representatives have piled up unused shelves, carts and other litter all over the place and have left it laying for months (which soon became skate obstacles). Nowadays they are piling that trash inbetween several tractor trailers and dumpsters that are being stored in the area. I believe this act was chosen particularly to drive skaters out, yet it contributes to Sterling Park's "cesspool" issue and provides a rubbish looking place thats perfect for vandals.

Another skate spot that is also not looking so good is the space behind Riders Hobby Shop. Just like Burlington, this place was popular mostly because of its quiet surroundings, besides the businesses giving you the boot. This space currently consisted of piles of garbage and wooden palets. Now if they just allowed skaters to recreate in that area, I bet there wouldn't be a rock on the ground, the trash would be set aside or in the nearby dumbsters to clear space for a 360 flip off of the banked loading dock.

My last place to argue are the 4 unused tennis courts at Sterling Park Golf Club. In early 2007, the Loudoun County Skate Project presented a skate plaza solution to Steve WenPetren, the club manager. After finding out that this plaza was not going to charge any fees for participants, he threw our idea away. This is a perfect example of a "greedy business". I'm guessing that solutions with benefits for the whole community are not something they enjoy reading about, along with the fact that the popularity of a skate plaza would easily attract youth and trips to office depot for more membership filing cabinets. Sterling Park Golf Club representatives have recently chosen that RV parking is the best solution for that space. Congratulations Sterling Park Golf Club, you are also on the list to blame for turning Sterling Park into a "cesspool".

The Loudoun County Skate Project is currently planning two environmentally beneficial fund raisers. We believe they will both serve as a positive message in improving our communities.

http://wamu.org/programs/kn/08/06/20.php#20857