SCOTTY LAPP MEMORIAL SKATEPARK
A skatepark is a safe place for individuals and groups to challenge themselves, to encourage and be encouraged, to set and achieve their own goals while learning to manage risk along the way.
WHY IS THERE IS A NEED IN NORTH LAKE TAHOE | TAHOE CITY?
North Lake Tahoe | Tahoe City needs a place for the athletic people of our community to recreate, that isn’t on a mountain, in the lake and doesn’t require a huge investment of equipment to participate. People of all ages and backgrounds should have a local, legal, and safe place to gather and connect to their common love of the sport. The closest skatepark to Tahoe City is Incline or Truckee, which for some can be a 45 minute drive. A skatepark that is accessible to our local bike paths, pedestrian traffic and bus routes would be invaluable to our community.
WHY ARE SKATEPARKS VALUABLE?
A skatepark would give the youth of our community a place to go and give them a sense of belonging. Research shows that the communities that form at Skateparks help youth build connections that benefit their social and emotional well being. Building a place to skate would show them our community cares and that we value our youth and the sport they love. However skateparks are not just for youth, there are several members of our community young and old who skate and have expressed a great desire to make this park a reality.
IF YOUR TOWN DOESN'T HAVE A SKATEPARK, THE TOWN BECOMES THE SKATEPARK...
Skateparks can support hundreds of kids that might have nowhere else to go.
A skatepark is a safe place for individuals and groups to challenge themselves, to encourage and be encouraged, to set and achieve their own goals while learning to manage risk along the way. It’s a place where people build healthy habits like self-directed exercise and creative expression. It’s a place where people learn how to persevere and the value of persistence. A place to experience accomplishment and build confidence. A skatepark is an attractive, accessible and safe recreational facility for all. A safe and welcoming gathering space for skaters, families and the entire community
Skateboarding is the third most commonly reported interest for high school students
(24% of girls, and 17% of boys). (Aspen Institute National Student Survey Analysis 2021)
THERE ARE 8.8 MILLION SKATEBOARDERS IN THE UNITED STATES
Up 34% from 2019. This does not account for the many other skatepark users: BMX riders, roller/quad skaters, inline skaters, Wheelchair Motocross riders (WCMX), scooter riders and more. (Sports & Fitness Industry Association 2021 Single Sport Report on Skateboarding) The Skatepark Project has seen a 700% increase in skatepark project support requests from advocates.
SKATEBOARDING IMPROVES MENTAL HEALTH.
A recent study from The Skatepark Project and USC revealed that 76% of people skate to have fun, and 62% skate to get away from stress. (University of Southern California - Beyond The Board Study). Researchers found that, on average, a person has 3.4 poor mental health days per month. But among those who exercise, the number of poor mental health days dropped by more than 40 percent. (Association between physical exercise and mental health in 1·2 million individuals in the USA between 2011 and 2015: a cross-sectional study)
SKATEBOARDING ENCOURAGES RESILIENCE.
The nature of skateboarding requires skaters to learn on their own and develop their own strategies to succeed. Skaters frequently perform a trick hundreds of times over long periods before developing proficiency or experiencing reward for the efforts. Skaters in the study reported that they apply these lessons of resilience to their lives outside of skateboarding. (University of Southern California - Beyond The Board Study)
TIME OUTDOORS SPENT IN PARKS AND OPEN SPACES, ENGAGES CHILDREN.
in informal, experiential learning through play and shared experiences with peers, thereby, laying the foundation for effective formal education. (NRPA - Children in Nature)
WHY NOW?
There is momentum in our community. The wonderful people of this community want to help and see his dream come true. Doing for others and making others happy was something Scotty loved and this skatepark would make it come full circle.
WHO ARE WE WORKING WITH TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN?
Leaders from Placer County and our local Public Utility Districts, local businesses, and community members.
HISTORY AND FUNDRAISING
From mid-February to June 2022 we have raised over $250,000. Depending on the size of the park we can build (depends on the land chosen by PUD and county) we will need to raise somewhere between a total of $750,000 to $1,000,000.
WHAT'S AHEAD...
LOTS of fundraising and continued work with County and PUD leaders to find a piece of land that will work.
