Save our Skatepark-Lynchburg, VA

Our beloved skatepark has been locked and signs are posted that it is closed. A 8-19-17 article in the News and Advance quoted the current operator, Amazement Square, Inc. (ASI), as saying that they will repurpose the park (bulldoze it) if the City of Lynchburg does not take it over. It is in a great location near the Blackwater Creek trail and Percival Island. For history: In 2003 many citizens worked to create The Rotary Centennial Riverfront Skatepark. The City of Lynchburg donated the land, gave $50,000. and technical help. The local Rotary Clubs donated $125,000. A Memo of Understanding was signed by the city manager and the director of Amazement Square saying it would serve the general public and would always remain the Rotary Centennial Riverfront Skatepark. In its early years it was run by an enthusiastic employee of ASI and it was well-attended. It appears that when it did not make the income desired, ASI lost interest in running it and started limiting the hours. For the past 5 years, it has only been open on Saturdays and Sundays. Even then, it would often close portions of that time. Signs posting hours have never been installed and one has to go online to see what they are planning. By their own admission, Amazement Square has said it does not make sense financially for them to run it. The MOU said it should transfer to the city if ASI ever stops running it. THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED BEFORE IT CLOSED.
Save our Skatepark started approximately 5 years ago and tried to get ASI to increase the hours to no avail. On the Rotary Centennial Skatepark website skaters and their parents are often asking for longer hours but there have been no increases. Since the skaters have lost all faith that ASI will change, and ASI's actions clearly illustrate that they have no interest in the park, the citizens of Lynchburg ask that city council vote to take over the park.
Lynchburg has an amazing Parks and Rec team who does great things with our many parks. We understand from other jurisdictions that the addition of a skatepark has very little impact on the cost of the city's liability insurance. In addition to signing this petition, please contact our city council and also attend the 11-14-17 city council work session at 4pm. Please sign either this petition or the petitions at White Hart Cafe, Scene 3, or Liberty Skate Mountain but don't sign both and do not sign twice please. Your support is appreciated!