Skatepark volunteers work to weather park district’s struggles | Letter to the Editor


October 3, 2012 · Updated 10:54 AM 

Vashon Park District’s board of commissioners to propose the closure of the Burton Adventure Recreation Center’s indoor skatepark, the BARC Stewardship Council is taking steps to secure supervision at the park provided by park district- approved volunteers and initiating the search for alternative funding for its staff and programs.

We agree with the Vashon Alliance to Reduce Substance Abuse (VARSA) assessment that this facility is valuable to our community in that it provides an alternative extra-curricular activity for youth who might be considered at risk. The Stewardship Council also feels there is an untapped opportunity to establish a mentorship program between older and younger students, modeled after other successful programs, which could function as another preventative strategy among our youth.

 

— Marc Brown, Nick Ranney, Allison Reid and Jenni Wilke

 

 

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