Florida Needs More Skateparks Like The One In Bonita Springs

After damage from Hurricane Irma forced the closure of their previous park, the city of Bonita Springs, Florida set about to creating a replacement. A much better park, modeled in a newer architecture used in modern skateparks . They contracted New Line Skate Parks and requested a balance of a pump-track, a bowl, and other skatepark terrain that was inclusive and catered to a wide variety of wheeled users. New Line came up with a park with good spacing and a focus on connecting the different zones together. One that allows more people to ride at the same time. They built something the town of Bonita Springs can be proud of.

Scotty Cranmer posted this video on his Youtube page as they gave the park a run last summer.

The Bonita Springs design is considered third wave style skatepark architecture. Definitely a step up, and in the right direction. Southwest Florida does have some really good skateparks, but many other parks in Florida are lacking, or non-existent. The Legalize Wheels movement is looking to fix that. "Legalize Wheels is an effort to jumpstart Florida's statewide recognition of the significance of skateparks, and the ownership of Florida's skateboard heritage. Skate Bud has requested $3.7M from Florida's state legislature in order to create a program that invests $310,000 in skatepark architecture, and $32,000 in skateboard programming in ten sectors throughout the state."

Sponsorship for the request was made possible from Representative Anna V. Eskamani who stated "Skateparks are proven to make a positive impact for communities, and this funding request will help demonstrate how across the state — including with my constituency. Most communities in Florida still do not have access to skateparks, nor is there robust programming to utilize already existing skateparks for youth development and community intervention. We want to change that and this state funding request would be transformational towards that effort. "

"Myself, and Skate City SRQ are pushing for more skateparks in the Sarasota county area, and we are also making improvements to the existing parks. Skate City SRQ is committed to raising funds for new skate parks, and also awareness for skateboard advocacy." - Jake Ilardi, pro skater and Olympian

Studies have shown that skate parks can help reduce drug related and violent crimes.  The give youth a more positive outlet. But  estimates by Skate Bud suggest around 93% of all public skateparks in Florida fall below basic usability standards. APR 1458 affects 10 sectors across the state, and more than 1 million Floridians. Here's a look at which counties in Florida that would be affected by this request.

Alachua

Brevard/Volusia

Broward

Charlotte/Lee/Sarasota

Dade

Duval

Gadsden/Jefferson/Leon/Wakulla

Hillsborough

Orange/Seminole

Palm Beach

Pretty simple, click on this website and smash the button that says "I want To Help." To help get the money allocated for this project, Legalize Wheels needs to show that the residents of Florida are behind it.