The skating community is once again growing in Scott county, however there is almost nowhere in a 20 mile radius to go and legally skate without causing a problem. Skateboarding is a great activity, focused on being the best you, you can be, trying to be better than yourself and teaches you how to not give up, and to keep trying, better than almost anything else, in my opinion. 

   If the kids and adults of Scottsburg and Austin had a skatepark I believe we'd see less people going down a self destructive path of drugs and alcohol, it would give them an alternative, a community of like minded individuals with who they could find support, and give them something to do in town, as well as create something for non skaters to do. Skateboarding can also be immensly entertaining, and I think a lot of people in our town would enjoy watching a contest, or even just people skate, there's almost nothing more inspiring to me than watching somebody land a trick they've been struggling with.

   A skatepark could also be responsible for bringing in more locally owned businesses such as a skateshop, we could even take inspiration from Seymour and Clarksville and it could also be a bike store or an alternative sports store (paintball, RC cars, martial arts equipment, etc.) and overall just be a spark that ignites people to get out and try something new.

  I think Lake Iola or Beechwood park would be a great location, it would bring more people to the parks and give opportunity to have more activities during some of the events that we have in town (Pig Roast at the park, Materfest) and overall just see a positive change in the community.