My love for skateboarding is unwavering and holds a special place in my heart. Not only is it a personal passion but also a sport that I've been able to share with my children. The skateboarding community in Minot is a tight-knit group, no matter how small, bonded by a shared love for this thrilling sport. In our town, the Roosevelt Park Skatepark is the only available space where we can practice and improve our skills. This is only possible for a few months out of the year, as winter is brutal, and takes up the majority of the year.

According to the Skatepark Project, skateparks not only provide a safe, designated place for skateboarding but also create vibrant community hubs which can potentially reduce youth crime rates by giving young individuals a positive outlet for their energy and creativity (The Skatepark Project, 2020). The proposed indoor skatepark would allow the skateboarding community to practice and improve our skills year-round, instead of the few warm months we have here. We don't just view a skatepark as a physical construct of ramps and rails, but rather, as a significant part of our identity.

Therefore, we plead with the decision makers to consider this addition to the community, not just for the existing skateboarders, but for future generations that are yet to discover their love for the sport in this very place. We need your help to get the wheel rolling. Join us in voicing our plea to the relevant authorities. Your signature on this petition can make that much-needed difference. Please, sign and show your support to establish a new indoor skatepark here in our beloved city!