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P A R K S NNW'
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<br /> R E C R E A T I O N
<br /> s ate M unicipal a
<br /> Cateh air. a
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<br /> • Cities are working with local youths s
<br /> 1 , 1 to fund, design and maintain E
<br /> skate facilities. E
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<br /> __ _ - .. By Christina Couret i
<br /> - -_- -_ — - _ _ - , , _,It...., A II
<br /> 1 e `
<br /> Assistant Editor
<br /> t r - erts, half -pipes and grinds: They represent skating • I to the nation's youth and a liability nightmare to
<br /> -t
<br /> % many city parks departments. Because of the per -
<br /> k,. ceived recklessness associated with skateboarding and
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<br /> ;4 inline skating, many local govemments have banned skat-
<br /> r ing on commercial and community properties, as well as on
<br /> I h' ?. school grounds, leaving skaters with very little recreational
<br /> • space.
<br /> '. As a compromise, some local governments are building
<br /> Ig -,,,,,...-„,4, ' :. skate parks, complete with bowls, rails and other skating
<br /> . r elements to ensure a safe environment for skaters. By con -
<br /> "` , •• structing a designated skate park, city officials meet the
<br /> a ,� F
<br /> , i w µ demands of their young residents and ensure that skaters
<br /> r .. a , f ,; ,a are not damaging city or privately owned properties, or dis-
<br /> 1 ; 17 , "s • W` " , � , . + f rupting pedestrians and other park users.
<br /> '" .✓ • vF ta ra�^''
<br /> i ,, .'. r ;`..*F1'.= i Ve c •" E n ` r t w r y PLANNING
<br /> , uFT k 4 ¢ a a 'it ' `C
<br /> ; • -,'• s s ° ,, , 4.' r : '" ±T The popularity of skating has increased steadily over the •
<br /> � H 1'" 4 } k : ; N' • `1- ' , ,� ' : "" J "" ' past several decades, as traditional roller skates have
<br /> " #-• .1°;" _ ,.'ws . -,• ', '' -, r ,-17Y,-,-*, ' evolved into inline skates and skateboarding has emerged
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<br /> -< Continued on p. 62 L --
<br /> 58 October 1999 AMERICAN CITY & COUNTY
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