Brothers working to expand skate park
Two Norwood youth want a bigger skateboard park in their town, so they’ve started raising money for it.
Brody, 11, and Blake, 9, Graham ride their scooters every day at the skatepark beside the AsphodelNorwood Community Centre.
The small park is often overcrowded, though, with as many as 30 youth there at a time. It’s filled with all ages from toddlers to teens, said Laurie-Ann Graham, the boys’ mom.
And after riding at the park for years, the boys have also developed past the tricks they can do there.
“We’ve outgrown it ... that’s the fact,” said Laurie.
The brothers often beg their mom or dad to take them to Madoc or Campbellford to use the neighbouring towns’ larger parks.
But they’d rather stay in their community to ride. That’s where their friends are.
“We have a lot of friends here and we scooter with them,” said Blake, a Grade 3 student at St. Paul’s Elementary School.
And the boys don’t see why they can’t have just a nice a park in Norwood.
But they didn’t know what to do – so they asked their mom.
Laurie said if they wanted it badly enough, they’d have to figure out a way to make it happen. She suggested they speak to township council.
“You have voices, you can use them,” Laurie told her kids. So the youngsters did just that. But first, they started raising money towards the new park they hoped to have.
They made up candy bags to sell at Jack’s Family Restaurant in Norwood, where Laurie is a server. They’ve raised $900 to date.
Brody and Blake then addressed council in April, getting a welcoming and encouraging response, Laurie said.
Council is now looking at the feasibility of making it happen, Laurie said, with the idea to have it in the empty space next to the existing skate park.
The boys also started a petition and Facebook page, Help Norwood Get a New Skatepark, in support of their cause.
As the parent who’s taking her kids to Campbellford and Madoc to use their parks, Laurie said she’s conscious of the money she spends when she’s there.
That’s money that could be going to businesses in her own community, she said.
“Hopefully council will recognize how important this is, not just for physical wellbeing of kids but also the economic overlap for the community,” Laurie said.
Brody and Blake were quick to point out how an improved park would benefit kids, getting them outside to play in a time when glowing screens are becoming more and more popular.
“Too many people are playing on Xboxes and computers,” said Brody.
The brothers also hope other youth will step up to help raise money or speak to council about its importance in the area.
“They’re asking all the other kids in the community to recognize how strong their voices can be,” said Laurie.
The mother of seven said she’s let the boys handle the reins on this initiative and she couldn’t be prouder of what they’re doing.
“I couldn’t be happier really.”