Steve Quigly, a Staten Islander, hit me up with this email…
‘On Monday, April 18th, 2011, the New York City Parks Department tore down Staten Island’s only skatepark, “Ben Soto Skatepark”, named after a BMX rider who passed away serving his country in 2001. The Park Department said that park was torn down due to hazardous conditions of the ramps, however, the ramps needed very little maintenance to get them into brand new shape (IE: re-sheeting of main layers, tightening and replacing screws). This beautiful skatepark was torn down, and is said to be replaced with “streetscape elements” consisting of 1 rail, planters and stairs. This is not what the BMX community wants, but Parks does not seem to care to much about what we think. We started this petition to show the Parks Department that the Ben Soto Skatepark is truly missed, and we need a park of equal or better structure, not 1 single rail and a few stairs. It will really be appreciated if you sign this petition and join the facebook group! The larger amount of people that sign and join, the better we look and the better chance we have of getting a great skatepark in Staten Island! Thank a lot!!’
Sign the petition, and join the Facebook group below and show your support for Shaolin!
Petition link:
http://www.change.org/petitions/restore-and-rebuild-benjamin-soto-skate-park
Facebook link:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_140181056053194&ap=1
