PITCHER PARK MEMORIAL SKATEPARK

I think the skate park is an excellent idea in the community. Growing up in Dormont, there was little to do as an adolescent/ teenager. Now, 10 to 15 years later there is even less to occupy the time. I often drive down West Liberty Avenue and Potomac and see people just "loafing." This has gotten progressively worse over the last decade. As a KO graduate whom just bought my first home in the Keystone Oaks area as well, I would much rather have my future children practicing a skill-set in a safe designated area that can promote self-esteem, physical and mental strength, and social skills than roaming the streets of Dormont.

I think the skate park is bad idea. The park appeals to a small niche of people. If you are going to use the space for something other than green space, it should be developed into something that can be used by a wider range of people.

Unfortunately, Pitcher Park did not get the votes necessary to win the $25,000 grant contest. How much funds have been raised to date for Pitcher Park and what is the fundraising goal? This website says that the skatepark will cost $250,000. Ms. Malka's email says $500,000. But skatepark.org says that $40/sf "is a resonable place to start" - which equates to $600,000 to $720,000 based on the proposed size (not including the deck hockey rink). The Skate Park Association of the USA recommends budgeting maintenance costs at $8,000 per year. Will there be an endowment established to go toward the costs to maintain the park?

I appreciate your offer to help us one day, as possibly this may hopefully soon be figured out.
I can not speak for any council person, other to say that the only proposal we made was for a skate park that was aprx 16,400sq ft, no arguing there :)

The email above was received by me from someone other than Laurie Malka and had being sent out to many showing pros and cons & different ideas.(Not sure that I would call it a "revised plan".)

I felt it was important & posted it so anyone could repsond and not just a select few on an email list, to be fair to all.

Must tell you that although I am trying to build this as a memorial to my sons that is not my primary goal. After raising four boys in Dormont and being in touch with young people, I realize that between 12-20 years old, the community is severely lacking for recreation. It is needed for the living boys and girls, not my sons because this is the community and the people they loved.

In the early nineties, I used to skate – in fact, I still have my old Mike McGill skateboard kicking around my house some place.

However, I have to confess that I’m against the idea of the skatepark in the park. As a Dormont resident, I feel very strongly that we have a beautiful green space in Dormont Park, a green space we should conserve and protect. I feel the last thing we need is more cement, especially when there are some very nice skate parks already in the Pittsburgh Metro area. I don’t oppose the creation of a skatepark, I do strongly oppose the creation of a park in our lovely Dormont park.

What your son did trying to save his brother was a heroic act. And you wanting to honor them is heartfelt. But there are many sides to this story. How many Dormonters have lost a loved one and would also like to honor them. Have a plaque made and put it in your shop window. They were your son's not ours, and although I find their death to be a tragic lost and heroic act, I also find that there have been others who have lost loved ones and would not honor them with protest and personal attacks. In the end are you truly honoring your sons.

Gone Too Far: Wow! Where do I begin? First of all,if you're going to post, please sign your name, otherwise you discredit yourself. Don't hide behind a computer screen. If these are truly your convictions then stand by them strong.
You are correct, these boys are Mrs. Pitchers sons and not ours, but they were friends, brothers, and obviously very well loved by the community of Dormont. Over one thousand residents disagree with you over the issue of the park being built in Dormont, rather thatn just a plaque put up somewhere in Mary's shop. The park was for more than just honoring her boys. It was for the children of Dormont. Lastly, the character of Vince and the love he had for his brother is non waivering and should teach us all a lesson on what true humanity really is. As far as I'm concerned if more ppl. were like him, and were as selfless, and self sacrificing as he was, this world would definitely be a better place. We can all learn from his sacrifice. I think that warrants an honor as small as a skate park. That is the least that he deserves.

first off... the character of Vince and Stevie Pitcher is unquestionable. I dont care what police reports you try to use as evidence otherwise or anything else. Ive never met any other people who honestly would sit down and have a genuine conversation with anybody they had ever met. Those two boys as popular as they were in school, could care less what stigma the people they talked to had. I can only strive to be as good hearted as them. They were some of the people that connected EVERYBODY I had known since before I could remember. No doubt, however, that some adults would judge them solely on their appearance. Vince having holes in his ears the size of nickels probably didnt help much, but everyone wants to be unique.

as for skater
Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:50:38

that wasnt a threat and your ignorance is showing...

what happens when skateboarders have nowhere setup for them to skate... they use public property such as handrails for stairs and curbs and other areas meant for pedestrians... this activity can destroy that property. it causes curbs to crumble and rails to be dented and could even end up in a lawsuit for the owner or an accident with a car for the skateboarder.. it wasnt a threat.


It is a kid telling you that he would rather have a safe place to do something he loves....

I never had the chance to met the Pitcher boys as they are much younger than me. As I ride through Dormont I search for a place that might accomadate everyone's needs for a skate park. With so many of the car dealerships leaving have you thought of one of their empty lots. I'm no good at measuring so it is hard to determine the space you need. It would be nice if you could build a indoor one with vending machines to make a profit, and allow the kids to decorate it with a graffti wall and drawing of your sons. I don't think this should be political but it seems to be going that way so why not allow some sort of vote to be taken minus the Dormont council.