Recently, while spending time with my children at the new skatepark in Queensville, ON, Canada, I witnessed something that truly concerned me. As the sun began to set, the vibrant scene was suddenly marred by multiple collisions among the children and teens enjoying the park. The twilight hours, instead of being a joyous time for late rides and tricks, transformed into a dangerous period due to the lack of sufficient lighting. This skatepark remains open until 11 PM, but without adequate lights, it becomes a hazard zone as soon as the sun sets.

Our community has welcomed the skatepark as an invaluable space for our youth—a place where they can hone their skills, socialize, and engage in healthy physical activity. However, without lighting, we are inadvertently compromising the safety and enjoyment of these young riders. Statistically, over 20% of accidents at skateparks occur due to poor visibility conditions. Installing lights would effectively reduce this number, ensuring children and teens can skate safely until the closing hour.

We are calling on the Town of East Gwillimbury to prioritize the safety of our young community members by installing adequate lights at the Queensville skatepark. Not only would lighting prevent accidents, but it would also foster a safe environment that encourages more families to use the space during the evening hours, thus increasing community engagement and ensuring the skatepark's success.

Let us make the Queensville skatepark a safer, better place for our children. It’s time to take action and demand the necessary infrastructure changes needed to protect our kids while encouraging their love for skating. Please sign this petition and help us shine a light on the importance of safety at this vital community resource.