To: Town of Oyster Bay Town Board PETITION IN SUPPORT OF A SKATEPARK FOR THE LOCUST VALLEY/BAYVILLE/GLEN COVE AREA With the growing popularity of skateboarding and increasing number of skateboarders in our area, we believe now would be an ideal time to plan and build a skatepark. Skating\'s relative low cost fun unstructured character and lack of rules make it an ideal vehicle for self expression and very attractive to youth in general. It is statistically far less dangerous than generally perceived and can provide a safe social venue to burn off youthful exuberance in a healthy manner thus treating the cause rather than the symptoms of delinquent behavior and saving communities in policing and health costs. An unprecedented number of skateparks are now being constructed around the globe but perhaps most importantly, skating is something a great many young people choose to do and surely such a healthy pursuit should be encouraged and not simply banned. What may be perceived as a demanding task to execute properly will prove to be a very good community investment. A regionally recognized, well-designed and well-built skatepark will: