21 soccer fields at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex - have lights.

Around 20 baseball fields provided by the city - have lights.

Over 30 tennis courts - have lights.

It seems in Murfreesboro, every new sports field/facility comes standard with lights. Except the skatepark. Because we use wheels instead of balls, we do not get the same treatment?

We are grateful that we finally have a spot of our own. For decades, the roller sport community in Murfreesboro has been disregarded and neglected, so we were excited and enthusiastic for the skatepark. We counted down the days to opening day since the news first dropped.

But we are not treated equally. The traditional sports get more funding, more infrastructure, more amenities. At the skatepark, we do not have access to water, a close enough restroom facility, shade, or lights. All these things are standard and part of planning when any field or facility concerning a ball sport is involved.  

We, the skateboarders and inline skaters, the scooters and bikers, are begging for the bare necessities that the rest of the sports community in Murfreesboro get without a second thought.

In the middle of the summer, being on that concrete, it can reach 120 degrees - making the skatepark useless and at most dangerous. We can’t use it because of lack of shade and water. We can’t use the park at a safer time, when it cools off, because there are no lights. 

And now it’s November. The sun sets at 4:30. Some kids don’t get home from school until after 4. Some of us adults don’t get home from work until after 4. The park is left empty because it can’t be used.

We desperately want to use the park. We’ve waited for decades to finally have a place to call home, but it lacks all the necessities to make it safe and fun. 

At a bare minimum, we need lights at the skatepark. Shade and facilities are much needed and expected for all other sports in the community. There was talk of expanding the park in the future, so hopefully these amenities will be added in the near future. But for right now, we need lights at the skatepark. We desperately need lights at the skatepark. 

Please sign this petition in hopes we can convince the city of Murfreesboro to treat us equally and provide the absolute bare minimum so we can safely enjoy the skatepark.