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.