The skatepark recently closed down due to the wood ramps no longer being safe to ride as they are deteriorating and coming undone.

This park served many of us adults when we were kids as a source of entertainment and we want to take our kids there now. There was no better day than heading down to Direct Skate Shop and watching the VHS tapes they had going in the background, throwing some hard earned allowance down on some gear, and then heading up to the skatepark across the bridge and absolutely shredding it to pieces (at least I thought I was).

The point being, the skatepark was and still is a staple to the youth in our local community and unfortunately has served its time. Wood just isn't made to last forever.

Can we build it better and to last longer?

I absolutely believe we can. 

Alpena, MI is home of LafargeHolcim (largest producer of concrete in the USA) as well as the Concrete Tech Program through the local community college. The college also has programs that could help with the brainstorming and design of the new skatepark or skate plaza. 

I would like the community to come together and show their support and let this petition be a vote for this "repair" project to the park go in the right direction. Putting a band aid on the problem is only going to kick the can down the road. 

I believe we have the right local minds to come together and make this a great piece of Alpena, MI and a reason for many to visit this town as well as a reason to get kids outside shredding again.