Growing up in Middletown, NJ, I spent countless hours playing roller hockey with my friends at our local outdoor rinks. It was a way for us to stay active and have fun without breaking the bank. However, over the years, our town has lost two of its three rinks and the remaining one is in dire need of repair and renovation.

The Normandy Park roller hockey rink is in a state of disrepair with cracks and holes on the surface making it unsafe to play on. Despite these challenges, members of our community have taken it upon themselves to clean the rink and supply nets, ensuring that it remains functional. However, the current state of the rink presents a hazard to public health and safety, which has led to the parks and rec department removing the hockey nets.

This petition is urgent because there are no other free public options for people who want to play hockey in Middletown. The cost of joining a private league or renting ice time can be prohibitive for many families. Having access to a well-maintained outdoor rink would provide an affordable way for people of all ages to enjoy this sport.

According to research by USA Hockey, roller hockey has been growing in popularity across the country with more than 30 million Americans participating in some form of inline skating or roller hockey each year. This means that there is a demand for facilities like ours that can cater to this growing interest. According to another study by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), investing in parks can lead to significant economic benefits for communities such as increased property values and tourism revenue.

We urge our local government officials and community leaders to take action towards repairing and renovating our beloved Normandy Park outdoor roller hockey rink so that we can continue enjoying this sport safely and affordably.

Sources:
- USA Hockey: https://www.usahockey.com/inlinehockey
- Inline Warehouse: https://www.inlinewarehouse.com/Roller_Hockey_Statistics/catpage-HOCKSTATS.html