The Islands Sounder recently reported that there are plans formulating to close the Orcas Island skatepark because it does not “benefit the local kids.” I can hardly believe that such an inadequate reasoning is being cited. In San Juan County over the past ten years the Orcas Island skatepark is one of the only successful community projects funded and approved to benefit primarily the younger generation. The islands have agreed to multiple other community undertakings for seniors and middle-agers, but the Orcas Park represents a real triumph for the kids, an acknowledgment that the new generation is important in our community.
Although Orcas school board member Scott Lancaster believes there is an abundance of “adult activities” taking place, there are far more positive adult examples to be found at the park than negative ones. The occasional beer-sipper is almost always outnumbered by the amount of people in complete skateboard riding bliss, who are cruising around the park setting positive and inspiring examples. In a county which has some of the highest teenage alcohol and drug abuse rates in the state, taking away one of the only facilities geared strictly towards the younger generation is completely counterproductive. There is no chance that the exposure to “adult activities” outweighs the benefits of having a place to practice a healthy recreational activity. Orcas Skatepark has long provided an alternative to drinking and doing other illicit activities for youngsters.
I would also encourage people to not underestimate the economic benefits of the skatepark for the Orcas Island community. Skateboarding is often viewed as an underground and separate entity from the normal sphere of mainstream economy, but here is a fact: hundreds, if not thousands, of people travel from all over the country each summer to skate on Orcas Island. They spend money on ferry fare, lodging, food and in other local businesses. On the internet at www.sleestak.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5293&highlight=, an online discussion has quickly been forming about the possibility of the Orcas Park closing. One user wrote,” My family and I are planning a trip to the Pacific Northwest next summer. Orcas is on the list of places that we intend to stay and spend money at. If the park is closed, then Orcas is off the list. We’ll find some other town where my son and I can skate while vacationing.” Orcas Island skatepark has become a dream destination for young folks and family folks alike and it certainly brings in off- island dollars essential to the Orcas summer economy.
Let’s not forget the most important fact however, the skatepark is a community asset. It provides uncountable hours of free, physical, constructive, healthy, positive entertainment to islanders both young and old. There is no need for a team coach, a new set of baseball bats, a mowing of the field, a re-stringing of the net or new football helmets. The park provides a positive physical outlet for island youth, it cost far less to maintain than organized sports programs and the kids can do it on their own time, not just when the correct sport season is happening. The returns on the park are enormous and they require practically no investment now that the park is already built.
I hope the island community will seriously consider the positive aspects of the Park and take the option of shutting it down completely off the table.
Shawn O’Bryant grew up on Lopez Island is an 2001 alumnus of Spring St. School on San Juan Island. He currently lives in Portland, Ore.
