Ok, so what’s the big deal about a skate park on Mud Island? We have all seen several posts here on MemphisConnect from various Memphians including myself and advocates such as Kris Gurley.
Why the big push?
It’s plain and simple – the project is the next big thing that needs to happen Downtown and it’s going to provide a substantial influx of new visitors, shopper and residents. I almost cynically smirk when I hear someone make that type of statement. How many times have we been promised the stars and in return we get vacant or nearly vacant or highly underutilized venues? They are all over the place- the Pyramid, Mud Island, Peabody Mall and even Main street. I am sure we all collectively cringe when we hear about the next big project that’s going to save our city. Is a skate park on Mud Island going to single-handedly transform and revitalize Downtown? No. The Downtown, as any long time Memphians will tell you , has already come a long way and is on a path for continued revitalization. The skate park is simply an exclamation point for those efforts. A big one.
Yet, I would unwaveringly place the impact of a premier skate park on Mud Island at the same level as the beautiful Redbirds Stadium or the FedEx Forum yet with a price tag that is 1/10 the cost. Wow, that’s a bold claim! Let me explain. You all know the statistics by now. Skateboarding is a 5 billion a year industry, nationally it has 14 million participants, and it ranks third as a national pass time and number of outings (64) per year among youth and young adults. Beyond these statistics, what truly elevates the skate park’s impact is the fact that this venue will draw a large and diverse group of participants and fans. So…..
With 1 million people in Shelby county, if we apply our national statistics, that adds up to a potential user-base of 50,000 participants that individually could visit the park on average 64 times a year. Annually, that’s 3.2 million people visiting the Downtown area to skate and hang out. That’s 8 seasons worth of Redbird fans! That doesn’t count the roller bladers , roller skaters, BMX bikers, parents of the skaters or the visitors coming in from the Tri-state region.
An added perk is that by increasing our participant base in fun outdoor activities, we will shed our reputation for being one of the least fit cities in the nation.
Growing up and moving in…
When the younger skaters grow up, they will look around and see that lo and behold there are some pretty nice condos downtown and Uptown is starting to look like a bargain. Let’s step in their shoes for second: hmm….I could affordably live a few blocks from best skate park in the country, shop at the Farmer’s market, hang out on Beale Street, attend a basketball or baseball game at two premier facilities, work out at the YMCA and go to a million different events hosted by the Center City Commission without ever getting in my car! And then when I have kids they could go to the new Downtown Elementary and walk to Mud Island after school or maybe for P.E class. Not bad.
The most important ingredient: You!
For this project to mature from a plan into a “shovel-ready” project will require a sustained public support base. Even the best public project can fail without the buzz leading to active engagement of it’s supporters. This is the reason why I formed Skatelife Memphis-we are simply the “squeaky wheel” that is constantly educating our city officials and providing tangible ways for Memphians to support this project. The success of our efforts rests on each of us participating.
Here is how to participate:
1. Online surveys will be available to take on the RDC website in the near future
2. Join us on Facebook and Twitter
3. Leave a comment and give us a “shout out”!
Of greatest importance…
4. Attend the public meetings
There are two public meetings being held in May. You can learn about what goes on at these meetings by clicking here and here.
Phase II meeting times.
1.Memphis Botanical Gardens
Tuesday May 12th, from 5:45 – 7:15 pm
Location: Memphis Botanic Gardens, 750 Cherry Road (near Audobon Park)
2. Downtown Meeting
Thursday May 14th from 5:45 – 7:15 pm
Location:MIRP Harbor Landing, 101 Island Drive (gate security will give
directions) Basically drive to Mud Island and go through the security gates. It’s
on Mud Island.
RSVP via email: skatelifememphis@gmail.com with your number of guests and which meetings you will attend. We want to make the RDC hosts have enough tables set out for everyone.
Let’s do this together!
I love the stats . . . great data.