Something for the tweenies?

Here is a link to an interesting article in the post today...not suggesting another coffee shop, but thought it was interesting.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/07/AR2006080701342.html

 

My understanding is it is from the time a child hits double digits ie 10 until they are a teenager 13. So basically 5th 6th and 7th graders and sometimes 8th is included in there too

So I have been told it is now broken down as : babies, toddlers, pre schoolers, school age, tweens, teens and adults

Staci

 

Well Vandilism is the catalyst of Boredom. It's not the right thing but I have seen it before names here,graffiti,and fire(Least of the favorites). The kids need something productivemwhile many kids need to be entertained alot more than in the past,you say "I find it kind of ridiculous that kids claim to have nothing to do. Let's see.....
3 pools, numerous playgrounds, miles of walking/biking trails, fishing, acres of woods and streams to play in, acres of open field space for playing ball (the 3 school properties), come to mind immediately." see Fishing is limtited and a tough through changing seasons,the pool is a valid point but its only there for one season and only so much time could be spent at the pool,as I see it many teens see playgrounds and open field as just for little kids,and not really useful for their occupancay. The trails are nice but not many teens want to leave the immediate area,and many dont like to venture into woods. I think they need a Teen center,or a skatepark. There is and uprise of the number of skateboarders in the area,my son(a skateboarder) isnt bad he is actually quite good,but he has no real place to skate,leesburg is actually quite far and we can not laways transport him there. He says it would be nice to have a park here locally that he can get to by skating or walking. Contact me back about this subject im very inthraled in it.

 

I like the idea of a skate park or something similar here in Broadlands... and I think it has been mentioned before, but seriously, it should be taken one step further. Bring the issue to a Board meeting and see what official steps can be taken to organize a request/proposal. I bet that a simple unscientific quick pole of the community would support something like this. There is money (I think) to support this and I say it seems like a good idea to take further... maybe start a new thread for discussion?

 

I don't see any problem in having a skate park as long as it doesn't affect other Broadlands residents. Why can't HOA build a skate park and charge the users and recover the cost of building it and maintaining it?

If you keep saying that kids don't like to venture out in woods or play in open field, there will be a group of kids who will not like skate boarding. What are you going to build to keep them occupied?

 

The reason the HOA can't do it is that the HOA doesn't own property big enough to put one on. The Developer, however, does.

 

Land is no excuse and no issue in this. There is still so much land,and many houses going up which in mean more land is being utilized. I wal and see so many Jungle gyms for kids,but I rarely see them playing on it. All those are unneccesary,I mean there are a redicolous amount throught Broadlands. Take three to four of those and you can make some room for teens. Plus all the tress being cut down adds more land that can be used. My son has sevral pettions and letters you can contact me for his info,and talk to him,he really is pushing for a skatepark in the area. I like it so I wont have to drive him to Cataoctin

 

Yes,but the Hoa can help aquire this land for something,and thats what I'm saying,Hoa has a strong say in this,and Van Metre has talked about building one now we just have to put this on action.

 

You may run into NIMBYs for a skatepark. Unless you can find a more commercial section to put it in...

 

The HOA can't help acquire the land, but we can try to influence the Developer to provide it. It would take THEIR property and, mostly, THEIR money to make it happen.
What would help? Having AS MANY residents as possible come to an HOA meeting and address the Board. You don't have to stay long. Public comments are near the beginning of the meeting. Nothing would please me more than to have 15-20 of our youth attend the meeting and speak up as to what they would like to see here. I think this would make a HUGE impression on the Developer members that sit on our Board.
If residents want to see something happen, you need to ensure your voices are heard. Our next meeting is Tuesday, Feb 13 at 5:30pm at the Nature Center.

There is property available that something like this would work well at.....the commercial property across from the SW shopping center on the south side of Wyndridge. It would not be near any homes.

 

The problem is $$$. I doubt VM would donate the land so the HOA would have to buy the land and then have the skate park built. I doubt it would be cheap. I also doubt that the homeowners would want a substantial increase in the monthly dues to help pay for it.

And even if it did get built, there would be significant costs in maintenance and insurance. More money I doubt the homeowners would approve spending.

 

The only way this would work is if the Developer built it and then turned it over to the HOA.
As I stated in the first post, the Developer came to me for ideas. I tend to doubt they will even consider doing something unless they see a lot of interest.

 

I am willing to invest in a "Dave and Buster's" or a similar concept. If anyone else is interested please dont hesitate to contact me.

Thanks
Jay

 

I vote skate park. Of course it costs money but isn't it a better alternative to vandalism?

 

I always thought D&B was an adult playground (I have never been to one, only heard stories) but if it could be both adult and kid playground, I'd love one

 

Dave & Busters is Very costly on many ends. Long and expensive to make, and becomes an high expense on all the games. It also has more of an resturant atmosphere, Personally ESPN Zone is better, but not logistical.

Another idea is the space across Sunoco. It's a natural site for a park, throw in a ledge and a quaterpipe (Things that can easily be made by help from community), and you have a mini-park, post a sign saying at your own risk (I have seen these before) and you have a park. The lot isn't being used and is natural and perfect.

 

BY all means then, if it makes your life easier, let's build us a skate park!

 

So it's either we build a skate park or we have vandalism? I didn't know those were our only options. Have our teens become little terrorists demanding that if we don't build them a skate park, they are going to vandalize?

By the way, I think a skate park is a great idea for teens. I just think it needs to be funded by private enterprise. Any aspiring entrepreneurs out there willing to take a risk?!

 

It's not one or the other situation but and alternative to help prevent. See many and basically al lcomplain about skateboarders on property and in areas, but then don't give an area for them. The numbers are rising and more skaters are in the area so that meens more kids skating spots and what most will call "Vandalism". A park is perfect but the problem is the funding and 'Insurance" but I dont see how we can't have a park and the middle of the ghetto in dc can?