Skatepark Information

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The Razors Edge Skatepark Project Summary

An Eagle Scout Project of Coalbey Murphy

INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED SKATEPARK
Heading up the Project: Coalbey Murphy – Eagle Project
Project Name: The Razors Edge Skate Park

Design: ARC (American Ramp Company)
Approved Site: Vacant Lot beside Crouse Park Intersection Hwy. 18 and Grayson Street

The following is an Eagle Project summary of Coalbey M. The Eagle Project which has been quite an undertaking took three years to complete.  The project was to build a skatepark in Sparta (at a cost of about $42,500).  It was in the planning stage for about two and a half years (research, design, finding a site, and fundraising).  

The idea was first conceived in June 2005 and initially turned down by the Eagle Board due to their doubt that a then twelve year old boy could complete such a major project.  After further research, obtaining a design, cost, site, and partnering with the Alleghany Ministerial, Inc. and the Town of Sparta, the project was approved by the Eagle Board on August 7, 2005.

A quote from the presentation to the Eagle Board, "The reason I want to build this skatepark is because I am a skateboarder, most of my friends are skateboarders, and there is no place for us to skate.  The town has an ordinance against skateboarding so I want to build a safe place for kids to hangout and skate.  The park will also be open to in-line skaters and BMX bikes”.

Sparta is a small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, about 90 miles northwest of Charlotte.  The median annual income in Alleghany County is about $16,000.  The skateboarding population is booming here (which many people are not aware of) but there is no place for them to skate. Prior to the project they were skating any place they could - in the street, in parking lots, and on sidewalks - until the police ran them off (the Town of Sparta has an Ordinance against skateboarding, rollerblading and like activities).  As we understood it, the only place they were allowed to skate at that time was Crouse Park where they used the basketball court when no one else was using it. These kids were going to find a place to skate no matter what the law says so the best thing we could do was help provide them with a safe place to skate. 

Early on we decided to partner with the Alleghany Ministerium in the hope to build a much needed Youth Center and form a Youth Council in Alleghany County.  The Alleghany County Ministerium, Inc. which presently consists of 15 churches in the county is a way for these churches to work together on neutral ground for the betterment of our community.  Individuals involved in the Ministerium are encouraged to be true to their own faith, “but still be in fellowship with other Christians”.  The reason the Ministerium is partnering with The Razors Edge Skatepark Project and taking on the skate ministry is “so that any youth from any faith path can be comfortable and be themselves.” The Ministerium will be the umbrella and the governing and growing agency for the skate ministry and the skatepark project, thereby having churches involved with this youth project. The Alleghany Ministerium’s motto is “Churches working together for the common good.” The ministerium’s purpose is “to have a Christian atmosphere to support kids of all faiths at the same time. The people they meet can become their confidants and give them someone to talk to.  Kids won’t talk to a pastor, they won’t talk to their teacher, they talk to each other.  If they can go to a safe environment and they feel at ease and they know nobody’s going to threaten them, they’ll open up.  It all comes down to kids and their safety.  If they feel like they’re safe, they’ll bloom”. 

The Razors Edge Skatepark Project’s goal is to provide a safe place for these kids to skate, rollerblade, BMX bike, or just hang out in hopes of empowering them to be leaders in the future of Alleghany County, thus the name – EDGE – Empowering – Developmental – Growth – Experience.  Although the Youth Center has not come to light as of yet, we have begun work on forming the Youth Council and appointing a governing Supervisory Board for the skatepark project.  We have strived to appoint a diverse group of individuals (adult and youth) to serve on this board in the hope of representing churches, the skate population, and the community as a whole.

In order to build this skatepark our first goal was to change the way local community leaders perceived the skateboarding population.   It has been a slow process, but with the project finally coming to light, we have gained support and changed the view of many in the community.  After two years of hard work, a never ending “can do” spirit and the support of people in the community, we have finally found a home for The Razors Edge Skatepark Project.   On August 7^th of 2007, the Sparta Town Council voted to allow the construction of our skatepark project on a vacant lot owned by the Town adjacent to Crouse Park at the intersection of NC Highway 18 and Grayson Street in downtown Sparta, NC. 

On January 10^th 2008, the skatepark advisory board for the ministerium met to appoint officers and discuss a timeline for construction of the project.  Board members were chosen from a list of individuals registered with the skatepark project, interested parents and community leaders who we felt could best help in our mission to provide for the youth of Alleghany County.  Listed below is the 2008 Razors Edge Skatepark Project Ministerium Advisory Board:

Coalbey M. – Project Coordinator – Intermediate Skater - Youth Volunteer         
Kathy M. – Project Advisor/Secretary – Adult Volunteer
Thom B. – Project Chairman - President Alleghany Ministerium – Pastor Sparta Presbyterian Church - Adult Volunteer        
Pete O. – Skate Ministry Chairman – Alleghany Ministerium Youth Council Advisor - Alleghany/Grayson Charge United Methodist Church – Adult Volunteer
John K. – Finance Chairman – Representative Sparta United Methodist Church – Sparta Merchants Association – Adult Volunteer
Don B. – Building Chairman – Adult Volunteer
Nolan B. – Board Member – Advanced Skater – Youth Volunteer
Debra S. –Board Member–Representative Sparta First Baptist Church Hispanic Mission–Adult Volunteer
Dillon P. – Board Member – Advanced Skater – Youth Volunteer
Desiree S. – Board Member – Adult Volunteer
Jeremy S. – Board Member – Intermediate Skater - Youth Volunteer
Robbie J. – Board Member – Advanced Skater – Youth Volunteer
Betty E. – Board Member – Adult Volunteer
William E. – Board Member – Beginning Skater – Youth Volunteer

In an effort to raise the needed funding for the project we held various fundraising events, sought private donation and submitted three grant requests, one to Hamburger Helper through their Helping Hands Program, one for $7,500 to Splinter Skatepark Ministries to build the Street Course and the other to the Tony Hawk Foundation for $13,000.00 to build the Half Pipe.  We did not receive any funding from Hamburger Helper Grant request.  We did receive the $7,500.00 grant from Splinter Skateparks/Betenbough Ministries to help purchase the skatepark ministry kit.  We also found out that the skatepark kits now includes the lumber used for supports (about $2,700.00 worth) that we originally would have to have had donated or purchased ourselves. We did not get the requested $13,000.00 grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation so we are continuing to raise money for Phase II (the half pipe).  We will reapply to the Tony Hawk Foundation in October 2008.  We received a letter advising why we did not receive the grant.  Hopefully this will help us with our next application.  On the brighter side, the Town of Sparta is in the process of applying for a Parks and Recreation Grant to refurbish Crouse Park which will include signing, fencing, lighting, seating, possibly a sound system, and paving the parking lot for the skatepark.

We coordinated with the Town on the site plan.  We met with them in early February 2008 to get things rolling.  Junior Townsend donated his time and equipment to do the grading and place the stone for bedding material for the skatepark.  D.W. Miles donated a backhoe with operator for loading, one truck with driver for hauling and the fill material as needed to bring the project site to grade. The Town of Sparta provided the pipe for needed drainage improvements. The layout of the slab and the placement of the form work and welded wire mesh were done by Mr. Tim Stamper’s masonry class from Alleghany High School.  We received a reduced price on the concrete from Chandler Concrete (68 Cu. Yds. at about $99.00 per Cu. Yd. for an estimated cost of $6,732.00).  This is considerably more then the estimated original quote of $3,720.00 (62 Cu. Yds. x $60.00 = $3,720.00) due to an increase in the cost of materials and fuel.  Also for your information the value of the discount in price for the concrete (donation from Chandler Concrete) is $1,700.00.

John K., Finance Chairman for the project, went before the Board of County Commissioners Monday, March 3, 2008 to request that the county become a partner with the skatepark project.  He also requested funding of $4,400.00 to cover the increase in cost for the concrete to place the slab.  The great news is they were very receptive to the project and meeting the needs of the youth in Alleghany County and voted unanimously to support the project and give us the $4,400.00.

After raising the funds we ordered the equipment for Phase I (the street course) of the project and made the required down payment of $7,500.00 to American Ramp Company.  The equipment arrived and was unloaded on April 13^th. 

An Eagle Project of Coalbey M.
In Partnership with the Alleghany Ministerium, Inc.,
and The Town of Sparta would like to Thank these Fine Supporters
for their Time, Services, and Funding

Platinum Level Supporter – Over $3000
Splinter/Betenbough Skatepark Ministries
Chris & Kathy Murphy
D.W. and Barbara Miles
Sparta United Methodist Church
Alleghany County
Town of Sparta

Gold Level Supporters - $1000 to $3000
Mario & Anabel Gonzalez and the Deerwood Park Community
Dr. Beth Lyon-Smith
Junior Townsend - Townsend Excavating & Construction, Inc
Tim Stamper & Masonry Classes – Alleghany High School
Chandler Concrete Company, Inc.
Frank Dillard
Harold Wood
Grayson National Bank
Alleghany Inn
Community Foundation Grant

Silver Level Supporters- $500 to $999
Rob & Bet Mangum - Mangum Pottery
David Riggs, Riggs, Inc. Excavating Contractors
Chris & Ricky Brooks
Scott Smith – Scott’s Landscaping
The Halsey Family & Imaging Specialists, Inc
Tony Hawks Foundation

Bronze Level Supporters– Under $500
Dr. John Kovacich
Tommy Calhoun – Calhoun Cabinets
Cook’s of North Wilkesboro
Aftermath Skate Shop, Galax, VA
Phil Smith Graphics
Watts Trophies, Galax, VA
Kathy & Roger Wood
Debra Santiago
Frances Huber
Crystal Evans - Senior Project Fundraiser Dance
Donation Jars – Twin Oaks General Store & Sparta BP Station
Alleghany Chamber of Commerce
Rotary Club of Alleghany
John Spicer – S&L Outdoor Sports Supply
Paula Presnell - Mountain Dreams Realty
John & Linda Joines
Cardinal Stone
Blevins Building Supply
Alleghany/Wilkes Chapter American Red Cross
The Eller Family – Richard, Betty, Andrew & William
John Kilmartin
First Community Bank
BB&T Bank
Congregation Sparta First Baptist Church
Alleghany Cable Vision
Charlie Scott & Channel 50
The Alleghany News
Sami Joe Todd- Senior Project
Chris Elliot- Studio Redwood

Who was it that said “you will never get them to build a skatepark in Sparta, North Carolina”?  Thank you to everyone for all of your help, prayers and support – we could not have gotten this far without you – I mean that sincerely!  We are almost there – keep up the hard work – we are still working on raising money for Phase II (the half-pipe).  If you or anyone you know has a secret stash of money lying around you just don’t know what to do with you can send it our way – we will put it to good use.  To date we have received over $40,273 in donations toward the skatepark project.  A total of $12,500 is needed to order the equipment for Phase II.  Although work on the Eagle Scout Project is complete, we will continue to work on fundraising efforts for Phase II, setting up the skatepark ministry, and working to meet the needs of the youth in Alleghany County.

A few closing thoughts:

"Every worthwhile accomplishment, big or little, has its stages of drudgery and triumph; a beginning, a struggle and a victory."
- Ghandi

 "The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person's determination."
- Tommy Lasorda

“It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome.”
- William James

"To Achieve Your Dreams Remember Your ABC's:
- Avoid negative sources, people, places, things and habits.
- Believe in yourself.
- Consider things from every angle.
- Don't give up and don't give in.
- Enjoy life today, yesterday is gone, tomorrow may never come.
- Family and friends are hidden treasures, seek them and enjoy their riches.
- Give more than you planned to.
- Hang on to your dreams.
- Ignore those who try to discourage you.
- Just do it.
- Keep trying no matter how hard it seems, it will get easier.
- Love yourself first and most.  Make it happen.
- Never lie, cheat or steal, always strike a fair deal.
- Open your eyes and see things as they really are.
- Practice makes perfect.
- Quitters never win and winners never quit.
- Read, study, and learn about everything important in your life.
- Stop procrastinating.
- Take control of your own destiny.
- Understand yourself in order to better understand others.
- Visualize it.
- Want it more than anything.
- “X-ccelerate” your efforts. 
-You are unique of all God's creations, nothing can replace YOU.
- Zero in on your target and go for it!"
- Wanda Hope Carter

Eagles come in all shapes and sizes, but you will recognize them chiefly by their attitudes. "
- Charles Prestwich Scott