You guys rock! 1100 signatures and we're not giving up! Thank you so much for the support. Every like, comment, reasoning for signing, mention in conversation, and most importantly sharing this petition goes a long way! Shoutout to you guys and shoutout to the media outlets recently mentioning this petition, www.change.org/alpharetta in their articles!  

Several updates here. Within the past few weeks, a designated "Pop Up" skatepark has literally popped up at Union Hill Park on an abandoned outdoor roller hockey rink: 1590 Little Pine Trail, Alpharetta, GA 30005

Major shoutout to Dan Merkel (Alpharetta councilman), Morgan Rogers (Director Alpharetta Recreation, Parks & Cultural Services) and several local skateboarders for making this happen. We think this is a huge step! But is this a permanent solution? See some questions answered below by Morgan Rogers:

1) When will the pop-up park officially be ready to skate? (From what we've heard, skateboarders have already been there). 

Rogers: It looks like the official start date will be Saturday, August 1st. It might be ready before then and if it is we will open it as soon as it is ready to go.
 
2) Will more obstacles be added?

Rogers: That depends on the amount of usage and the feedback we get from the skaters.  We have added 6 features to the area.  Several of the skaters (who are artist as well) have painted a mural on the skate surface. We plan to add a couple of benches and a couple of picnic tables in the shaded area on the south side of the Pop-up Park.
 
3) Will this be a permanent skatepark or will all the obstacles be torn down at some point?

Rogers: The Pop-up Park is not meant to be a permanent skatepark. Our next step is to discuss the need for a permanent skate park, the location and the funding mechanism for such a park.
 
4) If this is a temporary skatepark, is there any opportunity or consideration for a permanent park in Alpharetta?  

Rogers: Certainly there is. The City of Alpharetta has a proven track record of providing it citizens with those things that are important to them. 

So, it does look like there is discussion and consideration for a permanent park. We love the progress here and the focus on positive solutions but it sounds like everybody is agreeing that Union Park is still too far away as it hugs the border of Forsyth county. And without the proper obstacles and skatepark design, we feel skateboarders will lose enthusiasm where as a legitimate and permanent skatepark at Wills Park is still the perfect solution.  

Also.. Ironically, a few weeks ago skateboard Legend Tony Hawk announced that he is changing his "The Tony Hawk Foundation" to "The Skatepark Project" with the intent to support community skatepark projects across the U.S. www.skatepark.org. We are looking into the requirements on what it would take to possibly receive some sort of grant here. Any exposure to this program of what we are trying to do here could be massive! We also are in the mix of contacting professional skatepark designers and builders, one being legendary Wally Holiday who has built many parks across the southeast including Fowler in Cumming, GA to see what the process of building a permanent skatepark looks like. From what we are hearing, he has built his last park and is ready to retire. However, we think he should save the best for last! Just some food for thought.

Thanks again for the support and we are considering doing a "Skate Day" at the Pop-Up park sometime in mid to late August. In the meantime, keep sharing this petition and keeping this conversation relevant. God Bless! #alpharettaLOVE