Let’s come together and get this done! There is no better time than now to build a bigger better Action Sports Park.  Our existing Skate parks are outdated and worn out.  Martin 1 is due for an upgrade as soon as possible. 
     At this time I would like to provide you some facts so you can help Educate others that may not know much about Action Sports.

In 2021 every sales record that was set in the 1980’s for Skateboards, Kick Scooters, and Bicycle’s was absolutely destroyed as people wanted to get out of the house and escape the pandemic. 

Skateboarding made its Olympic debut in 2021. It’s time to start looking at Skateboarding as a serious sport that has changed the lives of millions around the globe.

We have ties to a local Skateboarder that was a student at Memorial High School in 2002 who now Skates for World Industries out of Massachusetts. Andreau Soptich is a Skateboarder for one of the greatest skateboard companies in the world.  
Thanks to the Martin Foundation The existing parks have helped skateboarders in our area develop the skills they need to become sponsored skateboarders.  For example Niles native Woody Woelfel who earned a spot on Character Skateboards team out of Chicago Illinois and most recently Isaiah Love of Elkhart who is currently a proud father of 2 and Skating for 5 Mile Hill out of Battle Creek Michigan. With a fresh up to date park our area could develop many more success stories. 

Urban Streetwear has been in business for 7 years right here in Elkhart. Urban has sold hundreds of skateboards in this community and for the first time 3 years ago teamed up with the parks department to offer an 8 week workshop for beginners.  Urban sold out 20 spots immediately and had to open up 20 more while scrambling to find enough Volunteers to cover the lessons.  Urban received several inquiries after the 40 spots were filled and just couldn’t take on any more students due to the size of the current skate parks. The parks where extremely congested with 40 students and 5 Instructors.  For this reason future workshops will be cut in half.  Resulting in 4 week workshops with 20 students and 3 instructors.  Urban has also held an annual Halloween Skate Bash that has grown every year.  In 2021 The event outgrew Martin 2 with a staggering 87 participants and now may be split into a two day event for 2022.  Unfortunately Kick Scooters and Bicycles are left out of this event because there is just not enough room to include them. Urban receives many complaints about our community and the one that stands out is “THERE IS NOTHING HERE FOR TEENAGERS AND WE WONDER WHY THERE IS SO MUCH CRIME IN THE AREA”  We have the power to create something GREAT for Teenagers. Urban Streetwear is accepting donations for upgrades to Martin 1 skatepark at this time. Stop in if you would like to contribute to the cause.  Any extra proceeds will go towards a new Action Park.

A large Action Sports Park will increase tourism while bringing business to our downtown shops.  We have several local Skateboarders and BMX riders who travel out of town every weekend to Skate and Bike. Although our current parks have served their purpose, they are not located in the best areas and really are not appealing enough for anyone to travel too. 

These small skateparks have proven that there is a need in our community for something bigger.  Something much bigger that can be utilized year round, even in this climate.  

The Vision: We need a park that offers a pump track for seasoned riders and beginners. The pump track should be large and surround the entire park perimeter constructed of blacktop. Athletes and people from all over looking for a good workout will utilize this style of pump track for physical fitness. 
A concrete park that offers a large and small bowl with a small concrete pump track surrounding the concrete section of the park for skateboards and kick scooters. A nice street section durable enough for skateboards, kick scooters, and bicycles. And large enough to accommodate several riders. A small 2’ Mini ramp and slappy curb to accommodate beginners and the smallest of children.  A large vert ramp to accommodate the seasoned skaters and riders. We would want to come up with a few different designs for the public to vote on. 
A pavilion to cover the concrete section of the park.  This would be a first of its kind and would bring tourists from all over.  We would want the pavilion constructed with a solar panel roof to help power its lights and heating features. It would have two walls; one on the northwest side and one one the southeast side to help block wind.  The bottom 3 ft of wall will be constructed of concrete to help contain kick outs and ghost bikes.  The upper portion of the walls will be constructed of a type of transparent material such as plexiglass. The remaining two walls would be left open with air curtains in the winter time, controlled by motion sensors.  These air curtains will be a great addition to keep the cold air out and natural gas tube heaters can be used to heat the pavilion while it is in use.  The sensors could be set on a timer to shut the curtains and heaters off when the park closes.  The corners of the pavilion will house the restrooms and storage area for the parks dept.  They can also serve as the structure that the roof is supported by. A seating area for spectators that can be used to host birthday parties and different events.

Locations:  Location is key to success.  For far too long, skateboarders have been shoved in the corner with a fence around them causing a dangerous trap when encountered by neighborhood gangs.   This has been an ongoing issue with our existing skate parks. After talking with police in the area they like the idea of it being closer to the road so they can see more from their  car as they drive by.  This would allow them to do a better job at keeping people safe  and help develop a good rapport with the locals.

We would like to propose these locations for a future Action Park.

1) Kardzhali Park located next to Nibco water and ice park. We believe this would without a doubt be the best location.

2) Lundquist Bicentennial Park located next to Beacon Health & Fitness Elkhart

3) American Park located at East Jackson and Goshen Ave.

4) High Dive Park located on Beardsley Ave

5) McNaghton Park Located on Arcade Ave. The old baseball diamond

would be a great location for a Plaza Park.

Links: MAYOR ROD ROBERSON (574) 294-5471 Use this link to reach out to the Mayor and your common counsel. Click on the Government menu. You can also reach out to Parks and Recreation from this link  Go to the Government Menu and then to Departments and scroll down to Parks and Recreation. Attend a meeting Held the 1st and 3rd Monday each month at 7pm in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Download the MyElkhart311 app to make request and keep up on city meetings and town halls.  This will go straight to the Mayors Office

HUNGER SKATEPARKS   use this link to check out parks that have even going in around Indiana.

SKATEPARK DESIGNS use this link to check out different skatepark designs from some of the worlds best builders.

By signing this petition you are representing the Action Sports community, the future of our children and teens. You are asking the City of Elkhart to build an amazing Action Sports Park for everyone to enjoy in the center of Downtown Elkhart. One that can be utilized not only in the summer months,  but in the winter months as well. We realize this is a long term goal so you are also asking for a complete refurb of Martin 1 skatepark as we patiently wait for a new Action Park. Please send this to as many people as possible and your local common council members as well as Mayor Rod Roberson. Let them know We Want Change!