Problem
   As you probably already know, many young kids these days facing boredom in their adolescence can find themselves getting unhealthily addicted to things like social media, gaming and their phones and although none all of these things are all bad in and of themselves, just like anything else in this life, these things in excess, can quickly and easily start to become a real problem for kids fighting to find that balance in life.

   One of the more positive ways I have seen kids finding that balance between "unhealthy screen time" and what I like to call "healthy sky time" has been this growing group of kids I see in the community on skateboards and scooters traveling faithfully between either Hickory Hills, Oak Lawn or Burbank's Skate Parks.

I myself being the Father of two riders know 1st hand many of these kids here in Bridgeview and have been witnessing a growing number of them in Justice who have become really serious about their riding and landing tricks on these scooters and skateboards. I have also come to see that this is not just something for them to kill the time between school and dinner but that this has actually become a healthy alternative that they are all very passionate about.

   The problem is that Hickory's Skate Park when closed for the season forces them all to travel from here in Bridgeview all the way to Burbank and Oak Lawn!



Solution
   The solution would be A New Skate Park here in Bridgeview that these kids could help design and put their own stamp of approval on that would be closer to home and one they could all call their own. I believe this would be an amazing and positive thing for our kids in this region and as well an unforgettable experience for them to see how they can effect change and actually be part of a positive community project.

Personal story
   My name is Scott Boggs. I am a 42 year old Minister and life time resident of Bridgeview IL raising three kids of my own here. I Love Bridgeview! Personally though, as an adolescent myself I had unfortunately fallen prey to many worse and life threatening addictions than gaming and social media... and it has only been by the grace of God and the help of a loving supportive community that I was able to get my life back on course again, because of this hard journey I have become very passionate about seeing kids being given healthy and fun alternatives in life.

  When my 14 year old Joshua tells me "Dad, so and so quit vaping and is now coming out and riding with us," It's enough to make this grown man here want to cry.

   Me, knowing full well the positive and negative power that peer pressure can have on kids and having seen first hand how the group conscience of any gathering can play a strong role in what kind of atmosphere and direction that gathering or place will go...

I would like to say that if I didn't have the faith that I have in these kids and if I hadn't seen the goodness in them that I have seen repetitively displayed I wouldn't suggest or encourage such a place but with the core of these kids moving collectively as what I see as a positive force and influence in our community, I would ask whole heartedly and humbly beside them all that their dream and talk of a Skate Park in Bridgeview be granted.

Sincerely, Scott Boggs