Skate event highlights need to develop park in central Annandale
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| D.C. Roller Girls try out the ramps in the Annandale Fire Station parking lot. |
Several skateboarders and community members came to a
temporary “skate event” with portable ramps and ledges in Annandale Fire Station parking lot Saturday to show their support for the development of a
skate plaza and park in a nearby vacant lot.
temporary “skate event” with portable ramps and ledges in Annandale Fire Station parking lot Saturday to show their support for the development of a
skate plaza and park in a nearby vacant lot.
The portables were set up by American Inline, a company that provides summer camps and classes in skateboarding and other activities for the Fairfax County Park Authority. Three members of the D.C. Roller Girls, a professional
roller derby team, brought a little verve to the event, and Flippin Pizza made sure no one was hungry.
roller derby team, brought a little verve to the event, and Flippin Pizza made sure no one was hungry.
Mason Supervisor Penny Gross organized the skate event in
response to an informal proposal put forth by several business leaders—and
endorsed by the fire station, Annandale Chamber of Commerce, and other
community groups—to provide a safe place for youths to hang out get some
exercise. Gross says it could be more like a “skate spot,” rather than a
full-blown skate park.
response to an informal proposal put forth by several business leaders—and
endorsed by the fire station, Annandale Chamber of Commerce, and other
community groups—to provide a safe place for youths to hang out get some
exercise. Gross says it could be more like a “skate spot,” rather than a
full-blown skate park.
The county-owned site, between the fire station parking lot
and the Annandale Christian Community
for Action on Columbia Pike, has a derelict basketball court. It’s surrounded by trees,
blocking visibility from the street.
“Kids need someplace to go,” says lifelong Annandale
resident Glen Jedlicka, who owns the Gro-Getters landscaping supply business in
Annandale. Having a park for them would “keep them focused and out of trouble.”
resident Glen Jedlicka, who owns the Gro-Getters landscaping supply business in
Annandale. Having a park for them would “keep them focused and out of trouble.”
David Starr, the owner of Beanetics, who came up with the
idea for creating a skate plaza in the vacant lot, called Gross’ plan for a
temporary skate event “a very good, constructive idea.” He blames the low
turnout on the long weekend and limited publicity. Gross says the fact that few
skaters showed up won’t discourage her from pursuing the project.
idea for creating a skate plaza in the vacant lot, called Gross’ plan for a
temporary skate event “a very good, constructive idea.” He blames the low
turnout on the long weekend and limited publicity. Gross says the fact that few
skaters showed up won’t discourage her from pursuing the project.
“We want to see the county make an investment in Annandale,”
Starr says. He envisions the park as more than just a skate spot. It would be a
great place for a farmers market and other activities.
Starr says. He envisions the park as more than just a skate spot. It would be a
great place for a farmers market and other activities.
Starr vowed to follow up with Gross and others in the
community to make the park a reality. “Kids need a safe place to skate where
they won’t be chased away,” he says. Annandale skaters now either have to skate
in parking lots, behind the Giant or Kmart, or get a ride to a skate
park. The closest one is the Wakefield Skatepark.
community to make the park a reality. “Kids need a safe place to skate where
they won’t be chased away,” he says. Annandale skaters now either have to skate
in parking lots, behind the Giant or Kmart, or get a ride to a skate
park. The closest one is the Wakefield Skatepark.
“As a businessman, what depresses me is the lack of any significant
investment in Annandale by the county,” Starr says. “This is a great
opportunity that could have a positive impact for everyone, not just kids who
skate.”
investment in Annandale by the county,” Starr says. “This is a great
opportunity that could have a positive impact for everyone, not just kids who
skate.”
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| This vacant lot would make a great park. |
