UPDATE: WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR DONATIONS THROUGH THIS PLATFORM.  All donations made through this platform go to Change . org, NOT to Oakland Roller Skate Plaza.
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We, the undersigned, support the creation of a designated outdoor roller skating space in Oakland, California.  Roller skating is a fun, affordable way for the whole family to get active & connect to the community.  Skate plazas are a smart use of space & easy to build.  In cities like SF, LA, NY & WDC, skate plazas are not only local treasures but bustling tourist attractions and popular venues for planned events, vibrant with music, dance, joy, friendship & community. 

We want the same for Oakland!  We need it and we deserve it!  

People love Roller Skating!  Already a popular activity in the bay area (SF’s Skatin Place, various roller rinks, derby leagues and skate meetup groups), roller skating has seen a surge in new skaters as people look for ways to exercise while maintaining social distance during the pandemic.   In addition to all the new skaters, a large segment of experienced skaters that previously only skated indoors at roller rinks, have discovered & embraced outdoor skating.  All this interest and no place to call our own!

Existing Skate Plazas are vibrant, beloved spaces that enjoy high public approval. Communities LOVE their outdoor roller skate spaces!   People not only come to skate but come to picnic & watch because it’s so joyful & entertaining.  Roller skate plazas are bustling destinations that combine many components of happiness: music, dance, art, expression, exercise, community, sunshine, laughter & more!  A few success stories:

• Skatin’ Place - San Francisco, CA
• Venice Beach Skate Dance Plaza - Los Angeles, CA
• Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion - Washington, DC
• The Skate Circle - New York, NY

Black Skate Culture is a big deal!   Like other activities, roller skating trends up/down over the years.  Interestingly, the black community has held steadfast to skating regardless of trends.  Black skate culture has figured prominently in politics, the civil rights movement & new music.  So rooted, the connection among black skaters to each other & skating, “skate family” or “skate fam” is the vernacular. The most dedicated travel to rinks all over the country to attend their choice of close to 400 skate parties scheduled every year.  While Skate families are tight & involved as ever, they still fight to exist because roller rinks aren’t as profitable as condos & big box stores.  The HBO documentary, “United Skates” chronicles blacks skate culture & the steady shuttering of rinks to make way for more profit.  We believe with the leadership of organizations like parks & rec departments, we can keep this vital community alive & skating outside!

In summary, an outdoor skate plaza would be a positive space for Oaklanders & a smart build for the City

• Asset to local business - Our skate plaza will be a popular destination & visitors will  visit local small businesses
• Positive Publicity for Oakland - Imagine the cool factor and positive publicity this will contribute to our city!
• Big bang for the buck - Relatively low build cost to create a high usage site 
• Uncomplicated & familiar construction -  A smooth level surface, similar to basketball court at Washington Sq Park in Alameda would suffice.  An open air roofed structure similar to The Rink at Thompson's Point in Maine, Anacostia Skate Plaza in WDC or Harris Pavilion, would support all season use.
• Inclusive activity - Recreation that serves a broad range of people: toddlers to seniors of all backgrounds and varying abilities.
• Relatively low risk - all activity has associated risks though roller skating at a plaza is lower risk than a number of activities supported by & occupying space in the park system.
• Community Builder - Site can host public events. Will strengthen local skate families who are involved community members that take care of each other & mentor their youth. 
• Educational possibilities - Potentially host K-12 STEM field trips. The STEM Roller Skating curriculum was created by RSA to be in line w/ Common Core lesson topics.  This Field Trip is currently offered at a wonderful but prohibitively distant rink, Paradise Skate Roller Rink in Antioch.
• Childcare possibilities - Location could be staffed to host After School & Summer Camp programs.  Similar programs exist locally,  “Skate Like a Girl”, for example.

We truly believe this would be a wonderful addition to our unique city!  Thank you for your support.