Advocacy and Organizing

Identify the main stakeholders in your skatepark

A skatepark is valuable to many people. Different kinds of people will feel some level of "ownership" over the skatepark and all of them will have important input on the creation or design of the skatepark. These people are called stakeholders:

• Primary users: these are the skaters who will use the park, spectators who enjoy watching the skaters, and parents or friends who will spend time watching or waiting for a skater.
• Neighbors: these are not only the people who live immediately adjacent to the park, but also anyone who can get to the park on a short walk, drive in the car, or ride on the bus.
• Businesses: neighboring businesses near the skatepark, not just skateboarder-oriented businesses.
• Officials: These are local politicians who want to support the development of postitive public facilities, and people in the Parks Department who will have to manage and maintain the skatepark.

Now that you have a general idea of who the skateholders are, you need to go out and build a support network of contacts in these groups.

Build your support network

Effective fundraising will require a strong support network, and the more help you have, the more successful you'll be. The fundraising process is also a great opportunity to network within your community. Many people in your community won't even know that a skatepark has been planned for their neighborhood, and getting the word out is a key part of building your support network.

Remember, this is about building relationships. Creating and keeping support is all about people being informed and involved. The more they know, the more invested they will feel.

To build your support network, first create a sign-up sheet that says something like "Friends of the (your location here) Skatepark" at the top and a column for a name, address, email, and phone number below that heading. Under the heading but above the columns, write a simple statement like "We the undersigned support the (your location here) skatepark as a vibrant and positive addition to our community."

Go out and stand in the location that's been designated for the skatepark and look around you. Spend some time there and see who walks by. Look for people who already use the area and ask them if they are aware of the future skatepark. As you speak with people ask them to sign your petition of support and put down whatever contact info they feel comfortable giving you. This list is the beginning of your support network! Anytime in the future that you need to get the word out for a fundraiser or skatepark awareness event, your support network will be super easy to contact.

Drawing on these experiences in your local community, develop a purpose and vision for your skatepark that describes as many details as possible about it, your plans for designing and building it, who will help with the effort, and their contact information. See the River City Skatepark Description and Mission Statement for more ideas about how to get started. Over time, as your support network grows, continue to revise and update this document with information about the skatepark's steering committee, the geographic area that it will serve, accomplishments to date, and a workplan/timeline for final completion. The River City Skatepark Testimonial provides another excellent example of a detailed document like this. Handy documents like these will also provide a solid foundation for grantwriting and fundraising later in the skatepark project's lifecycle.

Telling people about the skatepark in advance may seem like a recipe for trouble because some people are afraid of skateparks, but it's better for them to learn about it from you because you will be able to educate them on the positive aspects and provide them with first-hand information.

You can also build your support network by having small informal events at the future skatepark location, like a "skate-in." This lets folks know that people are organizing to get a skatepark built, and gives them a chance to volunteer. To spread the word post flyers at any natural meeting places around the neighborhood - like grociery stores, community centers, schools etc. The goal with these events is to hang out with members of the community to share info about who you are, what you are doing, where the park is going, when it is happening, and why skateparks are important. When you throw an informal event, it is great to do something to attract families, like having a lemonade stand, bake sale, kid skate day, or the like. Families are a powerful group to have in a support network, mostly because they can do a lot of organizing for you via word of mouth as they interact with a ton of other families, teachers and other community members.

Canvas businesses

The next step for building your support network is finding out which local businesses will support the skatepark. Many businesses will be obvious supporters because they provide services or sell products that skaters will use or buy, but they may need you to make the connection between their business and the skatepark for them. Share some of the information you've learned during your advocacy effort to help them understand why their business will benefit from a skatepark being built in the neighborhood. Remember, these are businesses, and the financial bottom line is important.

When you approach businesses, make sure you have a flyer - like the information sheet from the "Planning" section. This way you look legit, and they have something to keep that will help them remember you.

Here are some key points to make with businesses when you are building your support network:

• skaters and their families already patronize their businesses, and will be even more loyal to them if they know they support the skatepark.
• skateboard damage to private property will decrease, and enforcement becomes easier when there is a legitimate place for skaters to go.
• The skateboarder demographic is constantly aging, and many skaters are within the 20-35 year old group have tons of disposable income to spend in their businesses.
• Skateboarding is a growing sport and continues to appeal to young families with kids who will be considering buying a home in the area.

Start with local grocery stores, restaurants, CD shops, and of course the skate shop! One you cover the obvious ones, start talking to the others. You'll be surprised who supports the skatepark. Substantial skatepark support has come from businesses like copy shops, barbers, tattoo shops, florists, and real estate agencies. Contact the local chamber of commerce and ask to be a guest speaker at the next meeting to talk about the skatepark.

Remember that this is an opportunity to educate some very important members of the community about skateparks. Make sure to take a young skater with you if you can, and be nice even if they don't support skateparks. Not everyone gets it right away. Thank them for their time regardless of whether or not they sign your petition, and be mindful not to re-enforce any negative stereotypes they may have about skaters.

Don't forget to ask supporting businesses to host the petition in their stores and help you get more supporters!

 

As you build your business support network, make sure to show other businesses who has already pledged support. Your list of supporting businesses is going to be a very powerful tool for gaining support from officials, neighbors, and especially other businesses!

These business supporters will be very important allies for your fundraising efforts, so make sure to maintain separate lists of individual and business supporters.

Write to Elected Officials

Letters of endorsement from elected officials go a long way toward showing that you have support for your planned skatepark. First, make a list of City Council Members, County Council Members and the Mayor. Next, call their offices and speak with a staff person. Ask the staff person what the best way is to request a letter of support - e.g., email or letter sent via U.S. mail. Whatever method you choose, be aware that you may not hear back after your first request. Be prepared to follow up with the staff person.

Notes on Networking

Whenever you can, wherever you are, talk to people about the efforts to organize your skatepark. The more people you talk to, the more contacts you get. And if someone mentions knowing someone else who may want to be involved have the person you are talking to make the call and contact the potential volunteer. Cold calls are hard and don't get as good results. But if you have somebody's friend or acquaintance call them, then you don't have to do as much work. People will involved via friends easier then via some one they don't know.