Rob Dyrdek with the mayor of Kennesaw.
RON: THE SKATEPARK IN KENNESAW WAS SORT OF ON HOLD AFTER A GREAT GROUP OF SKATERS AND CITIZENS STARTED THE PROJECT ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO. THERE'S LOTS OF SKATING GOING ON HERE AND THIS SKATEPARK WAS A GREAT IDEA BUT THE TIMING WAS NOT QUITE RIGHT. THE ECONOMY WENT INTO THE TOILET AND FUNDING OPTIONS SORT OF DRIED UP. I WAS LIVING IN CALIFORNIA AND HAD A SKATEPARK AT THE CHURCH WHERE I WORKED AS YOUTH PASTOR. THAT CHURCH SKATEPARK WAS MY INTRO INTO THE WORLD OF SKATEBOARDING. I HAD A BACKGROUND IN PROMOTIONG BMX FREESTYLE BUT GOT TO APPRECIATE AS WELL JUST HOW HARD SKATERS WORK AT THIER SKATING. EVENTUALLY I BUILT UP A SKATEBOARD COMPANY WITH FRIENDS IN CALIFORNIA AND WAS LOOKING FOR ANOTHER PROJECT. MY SISTER LIVED IN KENNESAW GEORGIA FOR 30+ YEARS AND SAID HER CITY WAS BUILDING A BIG SKATEPARK. SHE INVITED ME TO MOVE OUT HERE WHERE IT WAS CHEAPER TO LIVE AND WHERE I MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP THE CITY. IT WAS A GREAT PROJECT THAT WAS NEEDING TO BE BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE. I MET WITH CITY OFFICIALS AND GOT HIRED TO HELP BUILD THE SKATEPARK.
DTV: What were the steps you went through to get the park approved?
RON: THIS CITY HAD THEIR ACT TOGETHER AND HAD EVERYTHING APPROVED BEFORE I ARRIVED. LOTS OF HARD WORK HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE BY SOME WONDERFUL PEOPLE HERE ON A SKATEPARK COMMITTEE AND I JUST PLUGGED IN TO THE PROCESS.
Ron Stebenne in effect!
DTV: How did Rob Dyrdek get involved with your project?
RON: YEARS AGO, I BROUGHT ROB TO OCEANSIDE CALIFORNIA TO BUILD A STREET PLAZA. THE CITY WAS INTERESTED AND ROB WAS READY BUT THE CITY WAS NOT REALLY READY. FROM TIME TO TIME, I SAW ROB AT EVENTS LIKE ASR AND DEMO'S. I KNEW ABOUT HIS STREET LEAGUE AND FELT IT WOULD BE GREAT TO SEE IF HE WOULD GET INVOLVED WITH OUR PROJECT. I GOT IN TOUCH WITH HIS FOUNDATION TO SEE ABOUT GETTING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS FOR THE SKATEPARK. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP MISSING FOR THIS PARK AND VERY EXPENSIVE. ROB WAS VERY NICE TO US AND ALSO HAD EYES ON CREATING STREET LEAGUE CERTIFIED SKATEPARKS FOR EVENTS. WE FIT HIS NEEDS AND HE FIT OUR NEEDS.
DTV: When do you expect the park to be open?
RON: THE HOPE IS THAT WE CAN HAVE IT OPEN THIS SUMMER. WE ARE WORKING HARD TOWARD THAT END.
DTV: What do you think is the most challenging obstacle to getting a skatepark built?
RON: RIGHT NOW, WE NEED ABOUT $350,000 TO FINISH THE PARK THAT WILL COST ABOUT 1.2 MILLION DOLLARS WHEN DONE. WE HAVE RECEIVED MONEY FROM A SPECIAL TAX, FROM THE LOCAL FOLKS, AND FROM ROB. I'M NOW LOOKING FOR A BIG SPONSOR TO STEP FORWARD SOON THAT CAN SEE WHAT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY THIS PARK IS FOR THEM. THERE'S A POTENTIAL FOR LOTS OF MEDIA TO BE INVOLVED. AT THIS STAGE, WE CAN NOW BE REALLY CREATIVE AS TO HOW THE SPONSOR WILL BE SHOWING OFF THIER LOGO ETC. IN THE PARK.
For a video of the park, check this link:
DTV: For people out there who may not be familiar with the significance of skateparks, what would be the top 2 or 3 benefits that skateparks contribute to the community.
RON: NOT IN ANY ORDER OF IMPORTANCE...
1. IF A SKATEPARK CAN HOST EVENTS LIKE THIS ONE CAN, THE COMMUNITY CAN BENEFIT FINANCIALLY JUST LIKE ANY TOURIST ATTRACTION.
2. THE YOUNG SKATEBOARDERS WILL HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO SKATE AND ENJOY HAVING OTHER HEALTH BENEFITS FROM STAYING ACTIVE.
3. YOUNG PEOPLE NEED A PLACE TO BE ACTIVE DOING SOMETHING THEY LIKE BEYOND TRADITIONAL SPORTS AND JUST HANGING OUT. SKATEBOARDING FILLS THAT NEED.
DTV: Any words of advice for people who would like to have a skatepark in their area?
RON: THERE'S A GREAT MANUAL FOR THIS CALLED "PUBLIC SKATEPARK DEVELOPMENT GUIDE" WRITTEN BY PETER WHITLEY. IT IS BEYOND EXCELLENT AND MAY BE FOUND ON-LINE TO BUY JUST BY SEARCHING THE NAME.
For more information about the Kennesaw Skatepark:
http://californiaskateparks.com/2012/06/city-of-kennesaw-skatepark-design-unveiled/
Fund your Skatepark: http://www.fundmypark.com
