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Skatepark Location
The Razors EDGE Skatepark is located at Crouse Park at 115 East Whitehead Street in the lower corner of the park between Grayson and Whitehead Street. Just one block behind the Alleghany Courthouse. The Town of Sparta in partnership with The Razors EDGE Youth Ministry maintains the skatepark at Crouse Park located at the intersection of Highway 18 and Grayson Street.
The skatepark consists of a 50' x 100 ' concrete slab with 12 various features for all levels of skateboarding. Features include quarter pipes, half pipes, grinding rails and trick boxes.
Narrative about skatepark ministry- Alleghany Ministerium
The razors edge skate park project
On Saturday, October 4th, 2008, Sami T., a senior at Alleghany High School held a fundraiser for The Razors Edge Skate Park Project as part of the requirements to complete her senior project. The fundraiser consisted of a skateboarding demonstration by local skaters in the morning and a competition in the afternoon. The event was held at the newly constructed skatepark at Crouse Park in Sparta, NC.
The event began with a free skate and a skateboarding demonstration by local skaters. The event was well attended with many volunteers from operation “In as much” eating lunch at the fundraiser, numerous spectators, over thirty skateboarders participating in the demonstration and free-skate in the morning and twelve skateboarders participating in the competition in the afternoon. Each participant paid a $10.00 donation as a registration fee. The participants were asked to seek sponsorships (much like a walk-a-thon) to cover this fee. Volunteers also sold concessions and merchandise donated by the Tony Hawk Foundation and Splinter Skatepark Ministries at a makeshift skate shop to raise money for the skatepark project. In all an estimated $300.00 was raised after expenses.
The competition consisted of three categories: BEGINNER - haven't been skating that long still in the early stages of skateboarding; INTERMEDIATE - been skating for a while pretty good, but still have a lot to learn; and ADVANCED - so you're a hot shot eh? You been skating for a while and you're darn good. There was also a special category “OLD FARTS” for the old schoolers who have not skated in a while but could shread it up pretty good when they were younger.
The format for the competition was a head to head double elimination. The riders competed in a heat of two riders for two minutes each. This way it took some of the pressure off and allowed the skaters to relax, concentrate on skating, and have fun, and that's what the competition was all about. The rider with the higher score in each heat advanced in the “winner” bracket. The rider with the lower score was moved to the “loser” bracket and had a second chance to advance to the finals. Awards were given for the top three riders in each category (Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced). All participants were required to fill out the unavoidable waiver form (sigh) and have it signed by a parent or a guardian, if they were under 18 years old.
The competition had a panel of three judges, Coalbey M., Josh H., and Shane C. judging the whole competition. Competitors were judged in the areas of artistry, consistency, fluidity, and difficulty of tricks. Each rider received a score out of 100 points (up to 25 for each area), and this is what decided the winner in each heat and the final placing.
The results were as follows:
Beginner Class: 5th place Paul C., Sparta, NC; 4th place Jordan M., Sparta, NC ; 3rd place Niki A., Sparta, NC; 2nd place Jacob B., Ennice, NC, 1st place William E., Piney Creek, NC.
Intermediate Class: 3rd Lucas P., Sparta, NC; 2nd place Charles O., Dobson, NC; 1st place Eduardo P., Sparta, NC.
Advanced Class: 4th place Aaron D., Galax, VA; 3rd place Robbie J., Sparta, NC; 2nd place Dillon P., Sparta, NC; 1st place Ryan B., Galax, VA.
“Old Farts”: 2nd place Mr. Paul Crouse, Principal Alleghany High School; 1st place Mr. Lucas Pasley, English Teacher Alleghany High School.
The winners received medals and merchandise valued at $400.00 donated by the Tony Hawk Foundation and Splinter Skatepark Ministries.
A great time was had by all, but most importantly we provided the skaters a good safe place to skate, which is the ultimate goal of this project.
Thank you to every one who helped with the event for your time, donations, and funding.
Donations can be made to The Razors Edge Skate Park Project at Grayson National Bank in Sparta or by contacting Kathy Murphy, Project Advisor/Secretary at (336) 675-0858.