Grindline Design Kick off meeting video
May 26, 2011 The weather all over the country wreaked havoc with Micah Shapiro's agenda but after being stuck in Dallas overnight, he managed to arrive into Pittsburgh BARELY in time for the meeting but we made it! It was a very positive meeting with many skateboarders, parents, and bikers there along with some council members & general public. Informative and interesting, Grindline
designs make you think of the possiblities for the skatepark in Dormont.
Please note: The lights are out & I barely had time to set up the camera! but it is what it is!
IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS OR SUGGESTIONS FOR THE SKATEPARK DESIGN, PLEASE USE THE CONTACT FORM ON THIS WEBSITE & WE WILL BE HAPPY TO SUBMIT THEM FOR YOU!
THANKS TO ALL -THE BOARD, MICAH, THE PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE BUT ESPECIALLY TO KEN & CAROL SCHULTZ WHO MADE THIS MEETING POSSIBLE WITH THEIR GENEROUS GRANT!
AND OF COURSE OUR WONDERFUL SUPPORTER...TONY HAWK!!!! AND HIS FOUNDATION!
designs make you think of the possiblities for the skatepark in Dormont.
Please note: The lights are out & I barely had time to set up the camera! but it is what it is!
IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS OR SUGGESTIONS FOR THE SKATEPARK DESIGN, PLEASE USE THE CONTACT FORM ON THIS WEBSITE & WE WILL BE HAPPY TO SUBMIT THEM FOR YOU!
THANKS TO ALL -THE BOARD, MICAH, THE PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE BUT ESPECIALLY TO KEN & CAROL SCHULTZ WHO MADE THIS MEETING POSSIBLE WITH THEIR GENEROUS GRANT!
AND OF COURSE OUR WONDERFUL SUPPORTER...TONY HAWK!!!! AND HIS FOUNDATION!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Event: Pitcher Park/Grindline Skatepark
Design Kick Off Meeting
Dates: May 26, 2011 Thursday
Time: 7:00PM
Location: Dormont Public Library Meeting Room
950 West Liberty Avenue,
Pittsburgh, PA 15216-2594
(412) 531-8754
After receiving a $10,000 grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation last year,Pitcher Park Memorial Skatepark was
counting on at least some state funding sources in the future but just as it became apparent that government grants
were looking grim for any projects, a call from the Tony Hawk Foundation (THF) has given Mary Pitcher and the supporters of the Dormont, PA skatepark a renewed sense of hope as the clock ticks away because of a Borough code mandating they have five years from April 5, 2010 to complete the project.
The Pitcher Park Memorial Skatepark project idea was presented to Dormont Council in October of 2008, by Mary Pitcher, the mother of Vincent & Stephen Pitcher, who tragically drowned on July 15, 2008 in Kinzua Reservoir. She intended this to be a form of healing for everyone who knew them, by trying to focus on something positive and to show community spirit in Dormont, a town full of people her sons loved dearly.
Although at times facing local opposition, discriminatory
treatment and personal attacks, was disheartening, to date, this mother of four sons has remained steadfast in the quest to see this skatepark built in Dormont. From the very inception of the idea, the energy of the positive people outweighed any negativity toward the project.
It didn't take long for many to see, feel, hear and then relate to exactly how children and young adults who skateboard are perceived and feel discriminated against by some adults. However, the supporters are now also finding out that there are others throughout the United States who strongly share and recognize her unwavering vision to keep children, teenagers, and young adults physically active, safe off the streets & occupied in one of the fastest growing sports in the nation.
The call from the Tony Hawk Foundation, came only days after Pitcher Park received word that the IRS had granted them a non-profit 501c3 status as well as a 509a1 Public Charity status. Out of the clear blue, they called to tell Mary Pitcher that a man from Arizona, by the name of Ken Schultz was interested in reaching out to the project.
Upon contacting Mr. Schultz Ms. Pitcher learned he has Pittsburgh ties. He is formerly from Bridgeville, PA., graduated from the same high school she did, Chartiers Valley, also graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, so he was familiar with Dormont & the area. He also informed Mrs. Pitcher that he attended a function held by Tony Hawk where he discussed the Pitcher Park Skatepark project with long time, pro-skateboarder and THF Board Member Mike Vallely who encouraged him to read about the story. After perusing the Pitcher Park web site & speaking to Mary Pitcher his foundation recognized the efforts of this community project for the children by donating $40,000.00 to cover the cost of the final design and construction drawings to be completed by the company, Grindline Skateparks Inc. of Seattle, Washington, who come highly recommended by Tony Hawk, Thrasher Magazine, Concrete Disciples, etc
A very important design kick off meeting with Grindline will be held on May 26, 2011, Thursday at 7:00PM at Dormont Library, 950 West Liberty Ave. (Rt. 19 South) Dormont, PA. Pitcher Park is inviting all from Dormont, Pittsburgh and the tri-state area, who skateboard, rollerblade or ride bikes that may use the skatepark in the future to come and be introduced to Grindline and how the community can take part in the design process so that they are a part of developing a park they love!
This is NOT an open meeting to debate the issue of the skatepark being built in Dormont, this is a special meeting held by Pitcher Park to bring like minded, positive people who are in favor of skateparks, to listen, ask questions and provide input on the skatepark.
Having gone to all the parks in Allegheny County & surrounding areas and talking to various people, Mary Pitcher found that some elements are liked in some parks, others aren't used, and everyone had an opinion of what should have been there but wasn't. Pitcher Park would like to build a skatepark that is good for beginners but challenging and fun enough to draw the likes of Tony Hawk sneaking in to use it someday and tweeting about it! But, this park isn't being built to please a professional skateboarder, so we urge all interested people to attend this meeting to become educated about the makeup of a professionally designed skatepark and let Grindline know what they want in their local skatepark.
Mike Vallely or Mike V as he is more commonly known, has also agreed to corroborate with Grindline in the design of the street portion of the skatepark. Pitcher Park and especially Jonathan Pitcher, who considers Mike Vallely his “street skating idol” from the time he was nine years old, is honored that he is willing to help by putting in his two cents on the design!
Because of the generosity of the Ken and Carol Schultz
Foundation, once the final construction drawings are complete Pitcher Park will have a more accurate estimate of cost and know exactly what materials or labor they will seek as in-kind donations from any local sources willing to donate for the skatepark construction.
The Pitcher Park Memorial Skatepark, once completed, will be the largest concrete skatepark in the Pittsburgh area at approximately 15,000 square feet and the only one in the
area designed and built by a West Coast firm. Fittingly, it will be placed on Banksville Road next to the beautiful, 60,000 square foot Dormont Pool, which is one of the largest
municipal pools in Pennsylvania. We hope to attract a
lot of energetic skateboarders who may want to take a dip after skating on a hot summer’s day, hoping to help boost pool attendance with boarders, bladers & bikers plus their families
who will visit the skatepark.
The Tony Hawk Foundation Grant and The Ken & Carol
Schultz Foundation Grant comprise a solid start for this community effort but we hope to reach out to large corporations in the Pittsburgh area to sponsor individual sections or obstacles within the skatepark so that it becomes a cooperative Pittsburgh effort. Pitcher Park hopes that with
breaking the skatepark down into sections or obstacles and approaching Pittsburgh main stay corporations to sponsor, name & even turn company or team logos into skate able advertising objects, that this skatepark will not only be a part of Dormont, but will show case what Pittsburgh is really made
of----community spirit!
Speaking of community spirit, the Mt. Lebanon UP Church has been an outstanding supporter of the efforts of Pitcher Park as they have and have had for years, a very strong outreach to youth and see the need for progressive varied youth programs.. It wouldn't surprise anyone to think that they may even start a "skateboard ministry" when the skatepark is completed. To show their appreciation to the Church, Pitcher Park supporters will be joining forces and working with them on July 10 through the 17th during their "Mission Possible IV" week, as they reach out into the community to help those in need doing everything from yard/house clean ups to installing bathrooms and renovating houses.
Pitcher Park has a monumental task of raising the needed funds to complete the skatepark and in conjunction with seeking corporate sponsors and grants they will also continue to host local fun fundraisers. Planning for a Pittsburgh Penguin Alumni game in the near future is in the works and they are excited to join Legacy Lanes, formerly South Hills Bowl on Curry Hollow Road, which has been recently
completely renovated into a unique family fun center to hold exciting fundraisers as well. An International Food Fair and the Dormont Dungeon, a haunted house, which was successfully held last year, will return as well.
Design Kick Off Meeting
Dates: May 26, 2011 Thursday
Time: 7:00PM
Location: Dormont Public Library Meeting Room
950 West Liberty Avenue,
Pittsburgh, PA 15216-2594
(412) 531-8754
After receiving a $10,000 grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation last year,Pitcher Park Memorial Skatepark was
counting on at least some state funding sources in the future but just as it became apparent that government grants
were looking grim for any projects, a call from the Tony Hawk Foundation (THF) has given Mary Pitcher and the supporters of the Dormont, PA skatepark a renewed sense of hope as the clock ticks away because of a Borough code mandating they have five years from April 5, 2010 to complete the project.
The Pitcher Park Memorial Skatepark project idea was presented to Dormont Council in October of 2008, by Mary Pitcher, the mother of Vincent & Stephen Pitcher, who tragically drowned on July 15, 2008 in Kinzua Reservoir. She intended this to be a form of healing for everyone who knew them, by trying to focus on something positive and to show community spirit in Dormont, a town full of people her sons loved dearly.
Although at times facing local opposition, discriminatory
treatment and personal attacks, was disheartening, to date, this mother of four sons has remained steadfast in the quest to see this skatepark built in Dormont. From the very inception of the idea, the energy of the positive people outweighed any negativity toward the project.
It didn't take long for many to see, feel, hear and then relate to exactly how children and young adults who skateboard are perceived and feel discriminated against by some adults. However, the supporters are now also finding out that there are others throughout the United States who strongly share and recognize her unwavering vision to keep children, teenagers, and young adults physically active, safe off the streets & occupied in one of the fastest growing sports in the nation.
The call from the Tony Hawk Foundation, came only days after Pitcher Park received word that the IRS had granted them a non-profit 501c3 status as well as a 509a1 Public Charity status. Out of the clear blue, they called to tell Mary Pitcher that a man from Arizona, by the name of Ken Schultz was interested in reaching out to the project.
Upon contacting Mr. Schultz Ms. Pitcher learned he has Pittsburgh ties. He is formerly from Bridgeville, PA., graduated from the same high school she did, Chartiers Valley, also graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, so he was familiar with Dormont & the area. He also informed Mrs. Pitcher that he attended a function held by Tony Hawk where he discussed the Pitcher Park Skatepark project with long time, pro-skateboarder and THF Board Member Mike Vallely who encouraged him to read about the story. After perusing the Pitcher Park web site & speaking to Mary Pitcher his foundation recognized the efforts of this community project for the children by donating $40,000.00 to cover the cost of the final design and construction drawings to be completed by the company, Grindline Skateparks Inc. of Seattle, Washington, who come highly recommended by Tony Hawk, Thrasher Magazine, Concrete Disciples, etc
A very important design kick off meeting with Grindline will be held on May 26, 2011, Thursday at 7:00PM at Dormont Library, 950 West Liberty Ave. (Rt. 19 South) Dormont, PA. Pitcher Park is inviting all from Dormont, Pittsburgh and the tri-state area, who skateboard, rollerblade or ride bikes that may use the skatepark in the future to come and be introduced to Grindline and how the community can take part in the design process so that they are a part of developing a park they love!
This is NOT an open meeting to debate the issue of the skatepark being built in Dormont, this is a special meeting held by Pitcher Park to bring like minded, positive people who are in favor of skateparks, to listen, ask questions and provide input on the skatepark.
Having gone to all the parks in Allegheny County & surrounding areas and talking to various people, Mary Pitcher found that some elements are liked in some parks, others aren't used, and everyone had an opinion of what should have been there but wasn't. Pitcher Park would like to build a skatepark that is good for beginners but challenging and fun enough to draw the likes of Tony Hawk sneaking in to use it someday and tweeting about it! But, this park isn't being built to please a professional skateboarder, so we urge all interested people to attend this meeting to become educated about the makeup of a professionally designed skatepark and let Grindline know what they want in their local skatepark.
Mike Vallely or Mike V as he is more commonly known, has also agreed to corroborate with Grindline in the design of the street portion of the skatepark. Pitcher Park and especially Jonathan Pitcher, who considers Mike Vallely his “street skating idol” from the time he was nine years old, is honored that he is willing to help by putting in his two cents on the design!
Because of the generosity of the Ken and Carol Schultz
Foundation, once the final construction drawings are complete Pitcher Park will have a more accurate estimate of cost and know exactly what materials or labor they will seek as in-kind donations from any local sources willing to donate for the skatepark construction.
The Pitcher Park Memorial Skatepark, once completed, will be the largest concrete skatepark in the Pittsburgh area at approximately 15,000 square feet and the only one in the
area designed and built by a West Coast firm. Fittingly, it will be placed on Banksville Road next to the beautiful, 60,000 square foot Dormont Pool, which is one of the largest
municipal pools in Pennsylvania. We hope to attract a
lot of energetic skateboarders who may want to take a dip after skating on a hot summer’s day, hoping to help boost pool attendance with boarders, bladers & bikers plus their families
who will visit the skatepark.
The Tony Hawk Foundation Grant and The Ken & Carol
Schultz Foundation Grant comprise a solid start for this community effort but we hope to reach out to large corporations in the Pittsburgh area to sponsor individual sections or obstacles within the skatepark so that it becomes a cooperative Pittsburgh effort. Pitcher Park hopes that with
breaking the skatepark down into sections or obstacles and approaching Pittsburgh main stay corporations to sponsor, name & even turn company or team logos into skate able advertising objects, that this skatepark will not only be a part of Dormont, but will show case what Pittsburgh is really made
of----community spirit!
Speaking of community spirit, the Mt. Lebanon UP Church has been an outstanding supporter of the efforts of Pitcher Park as they have and have had for years, a very strong outreach to youth and see the need for progressive varied youth programs.. It wouldn't surprise anyone to think that they may even start a "skateboard ministry" when the skatepark is completed. To show their appreciation to the Church, Pitcher Park supporters will be joining forces and working with them on July 10 through the 17th during their "Mission Possible IV" week, as they reach out into the community to help those in need doing everything from yard/house clean ups to installing bathrooms and renovating houses.
Pitcher Park has a monumental task of raising the needed funds to complete the skatepark and in conjunction with seeking corporate sponsors and grants they will also continue to host local fun fundraisers. Planning for a Pittsburgh Penguin Alumni game in the near future is in the works and they are excited to join Legacy Lanes, formerly South Hills Bowl on Curry Hollow Road, which has been recently
completely renovated into a unique family fun center to hold exciting fundraisers as well. An International Food Fair and the Dormont Dungeon, a haunted house, which was successfully held last year, will return as well.
