Skate Parks

Back in high school, I remember passing by the local skate park under the freeway every morning and afternoon. One of the things that always bugged me was that someone was always there. In my high school years, I cared a lot about what others thought of me. I never wanted to go to a skate park if somebody else was already there. Imagine the embarrassment if someone saw me fall while dropping in. 

That was me as a teenager. Over a few years, I’ve learned that everyone is still in the process of learning and there is no shame in trying. The main point I am trying make, however, is that there is always someone at the skate park. I shall explain in a minute.

I read an article today about the grand opening of a skate park in Cambodia. I am not sure if there are problems in Cambodia where the money could be put to better use, but I think skate parks are well worth the money and space they require.  When I came across pictures of kids using the new skate park, I can feel their excitement beaming from their smiles. A few of them look like they are learning skateboarding for the first time while others look like they’re going to have fun shredding the quarter pipe. I can feel their excitement because the first day I ever went to a skate park is still engrained in my mind. I was extremely nervous, but the first time I tried to drop into a 5 foot bowl, I nearly overdosed on adrenaline. I failed, of course, but at the end of the day, I was wearing a smile as big as theirs.

Now I’ll explain why it is important that there is always someone at the skate park. I can’t tell you how many times I have been approached by Mr.Stranger threatening to kick my ass for skateboarding on the street. I am usually a considerate person, but some people won’t even give me a chance to apologize. It’s because of angry people like Mr.Stranger that makes skate parks worth the money. The city doesn’t want to deal with his complaints and neither does anyone else. The park is like a refuge for skaters who live next to assholes.

                Back to a lighter note, I highly encourage everyone to skate at a skate park sometime in their life. Skateboarding, biking, rollerblading, whatever. Just go out to a park and give it a go. Whoever makes parks is really doing a great service for the community. I am really happy for the kids in Cambodia making good use of that park.