Heart for the Bike Park

June 20, 2008

To Whom it May Concern,

I was saddened and concerned to hear of the closing of Owen Sound’s bike park. Though I haven’t used the facilities myself, I know that it is an important part of many young people’s lives. Owen Sound is an area with a lot to offer, but it is difficult for young people to find their place in the city. There are many barriers such as feeling unwelcome and regarded with suspicion while shopping, being accused of loitering if hanging out outside, feeling out of place at events with mainly adult populations, and encountering the ‘same old’ if just hanging out at home. Some of these issues are societal, and some are simply part of growing up.

Places such as the bike park are an integral part of a community. They provide a healthy and constructive outlet for youth to exercise, form friendships, challenge themselves, and work to improve their skills. Sports such as this teach youth dedication, fair play, conflict resolution, and the development of a healthy lifestyle. A place such as the bike park gives youth somewhere they can call their own, a community in which to invest their time and energy.

Of particular concern to me is the fact that council is using the park’s appearance as an argument for closing it, especially after the city has reneged on its commitment to help maintain the bike park’s appearance. The fact that the park’s appearance is ostensibly part of the reason it should be closed disturbs me greatly for a number of reasons. The appearance could easily be improved with or without the righteous commitment of the city; it would not be difficult for a group of volunteers to help to maintain it. In fact, involving the youth in maintaining the bike park (not as a mandatory responsibility, but as a contribution to the community of the park) would only increase their commitment to it. If willing and able youth were to take on sprucing up the park, it would truly become theirs.

I would call into question the claim that the appearance of the park is an issue at all. There are many vacant properties in much more visible locations (such as perhaps the former Black Clawson Kennedy property right near the tourism office!). There are many buildings I find very visually unappealing, and I would be much happier if they were replaced with trees, or perhaps a meadow filled with what some might call weeds (such as those in the bike park) and others might call plants. However, I know that these buildings are of economic value to our community and that tearing them down and replacing them with natural beauty may not be in the best interest of our community.

Likewise, activities which are of value to our youth are of economic benefit to our community. Youth are a very valuable resource, and we only have one chance with them: they are only youth for a short period of time. In that time, we have a choice as a community: support them in learning and developing to be the best they can be, or do a great disservice to our future by not taking advantage of this opportunity to positively influence our youth. The real economic value in investing in youth is seen in a healthier, productive, and more successful community of tomorrow.
I am a young person living in this area and see first hand the many challenges facing today’s youth. It is my hope that my community respects and values its young people, because I know that in return my community will receive respect and positive contributions from the youth in return.

With heart,
Lauren Best

Comments

2 Responses to “Heart for the Bike Park”

rgdaniel Says:
June 20th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
It’s always heartening to hear the youth point-of-view presented so effectively, especially when it involves such positive, community-focused arguments. Let’s hope the right people are listening.
zolton the predictor Says:
June 21st, 2008 at 5:16 pm
ohhhhh ahhhhh I have a vision…it is coming into focus…

I predict that the bike park will be well again….it is foggy but I predict that in 3-4 weeks the gates will be thrust open and death defiying actions will once again be gleefully undertaken….

of course I have also predicted that a giant interstellar turnip will obliterate the earth on June 12, 2008. Despite this I have a very good “feeling” about this latter prediction….

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Heart for the Bike Park

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