This is how much fun Eastwood skaters will have when the new skatepark is up and running. Submitted photo
Syracuse — T-shirt and hoodie prices were slashed in half. The slogan “It’s coming,” believe it or not, is already outdated.
And that’s music to the ears of Eastwood neighborhood skateboarders.
On Tuesday evening in the Huntington School Cafeteria, the brains, brawn and ‘boarders behind the project informed the public just what’s up with the plans to build a skate plaza in Huntington Park, just a block from the school.
“As many of you know, I can bring skateboarding into any conversation,” said Judy Lewis, a member of the Eastwood Neighborhood Association’s Skate Park Research Committee.
The comments were made in front of a diverse audience that included parents, residents and skateboarding thrill-seekers to open the meeting. In the back of the cafeteria sat a coat rack with three t-shirts and a hoodie. Because the skate park is moving along, the “It’s coming” slogan, now that the plans are close to being put in place, is becoming obscure, prompting the sale.
The committee was formed in 2005 after some James Street businesses and churches expressed interest in helping build a place for local skaters to hang in a safe environment. It began with just seven members; that number has almost quadrupled to 25 today.
Over the last six-and-a-half years, more than $210,000 has been raised for the project, with $150,000 of it coming from a New York state grant, of which $50,000 was matched by Syracuse. The Tony Hawk Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant, while the rest was raised by the committee through various fundraisers and t-shirt sales.
Glen Lewis, of Syracuse Parks Planning and Developing, was thrilled with the attendance of about 90 people for the meeting.
“This is an amazing turnout,” he said, looking around the room. “Everyone is to be applauded. This is a total community effort, and it shows through the continued interest of those involved.”
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