“What one empty lot could be ..” is the theme for a poster design contest held by Epworth UMC Skate Project. The Skate Project is an outreach of Epworth U.M. Church on Holland-Glade Road. The contest is open to everyone and their posters will be showcased at The Art of Skateboarding on Saturday, May 4 at Liquid Board Shop.
The theme of the design contest was chosen to highlight the need for a local skate park in our community. Epworth makes space in a corner of their parking lot to welcome skateboarders. To my knowledge, it is the only local public area where skaters are welcome. Skateboarding is a fast-growing, mainstream sport and Southern Delaware is way behind the curve in embracing this reality.
New Castle County recently added two skate parks. Glasgow Skate Park is a county-owned and operated park with a $768,000 price tag. The City of Wilmington granted the use of an abandoned parking lot on 7th Street to skateboarders who converted it into a park on a shoestring budget.
The City of Wilmington has figured out the potential of an empty lot. What once was an area for illicit activity is now a place for community and recreation. Glasgow Skate Park and the 7th Street Park are both greatly appreciated by the skating community. It doesn’t matter what the price tag is, the value is in having a park.
Susan Selph
Project Director, The Art of Skateboarding
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