Section B · Page 6
The University Daily Kansan
Friday, September 12, 1997
Burcham Park provides haven for skateboarding recreation
By Rachelle Detweiler
rdetweiler@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
Nate Vormehl, Lawrence High School junior, constantly looked over his shoulder for cops. Every time he went out, the police bust his plans. One time, he almost took a trip downtown.
Vormehr wasn't vandalizing property or harassing people; he was practicing his favorite sport. But like many cities without areas set aside for skateboarders, in Lawrence Vormehr was breaking the law.
With no designated place to skateboard until last year, kids like Vormehr had two options: build backyard ramps or risk fines for skating on city property.
Vormehr said that was why maintaining a skate park was necessary. Without it, he would have limited places to practice.
Skateboarders like Vormehr, are now able to practice in Burcham Park at Second and Indiana.
A skateboarding competition on Sunday will benefit the Lawrence Skateboard Association and provide funds to fix the skate park's
ramps.
Gabe Brummett, LHS senior, is one of 15 skateboarders entered in the competition. He said the $5 entry fee was low, considering the wear on the ramps from skateboards.
"It's not really about the competition, but about going out and having fun," Brummett said. "And it benefits the park. Without it, people would have to travel to skate."
Even with 20 to 30 skateboarders using the ramps on Saturday morning, wear on the ramps is the only damage that occurs.
Quillan Glynn, Highland freshman, said real skaters who understood the park's purpose and importance respected the property by picking up trash.
The respectful attitude helps the park operate smoothly and attracts local businesses that sponsor benefits. Glenn said.
Despite the mellow attitude at the skate park, Vormehr said skaters had a bad reputation.
"A while ago skaters thought they had to be bad and terrorize people," he said. "That select group was a bad influence on us."
He doesn't blame the city or downtown businesses for the negative attitude because he understands why skateboarding downtown is upsetting. He said damage occurs to curbs, benches and the people who become obstacles.
Brummett said skaters lack citywide recognition and support because of the dangers of the sport. The association must hold benefits, he said, because city officials were leery to provide funding.
According to a "TransWorld Skateboarding" article, a tally of emergency room visits for different sports showed only 0.49 percent of skateboarders receive emergency care compared with 2.57 percent of basketball players and 2.78 percent of football players.
Brummett, who once broke his wrist while skateboarding, said that an ambulance had never been called to the park. He doesn't expect any injuries at Sunday's benefit.
"A few bad seeds and a few people's accidents give us a bad name," Brummett said. "With the benefit, we will hopefully get more money to improve the park so we can show what skating is about."
By Rachelle Datweiler
rdetweiler@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
Skateboarders roll for ramp repairs
Skateboarders will pack Burcham Park skating ramps Sunday, wheeling for prizes in the first competition since the park at Indiana and Second streets opened last year.
Contestants may get bumps and bruises, but the outcome will be good, said Ben Tuttle, Moraga, Calif., senior and employee at Let It Ride skate shop.
Competitors can pay a $6 fee entry at Let It Ride, 15 W. Ninth St., or a $10 fee at the 1 p.m. practice session Sunday.
The competition begins at 4 p.m.
The association periodically approaches the city commission for funding, but received little support.
Allen France, Lawrence resident, launches between ramps at Burcham Park. Residents above the age of 14 who skate in unauthorized areas may be fined by the Lawrence police department. Contributed photo
Fred DeVictor, Parks and Recreation director, said the city provided space, bleachers, a concrete slab, trash maintenance and skate at your own risk signs, but no funding for ramp construction or upkeep.
"It's pretty screwed how skating's banned on campus and in the downtown area, but the city refuses to provide any funding for a park," he said. "By the time I'm 30, the city will finally start realizing that what these kids are doing is awesome."
In 1993 and '94, Parks and Recreation completed a plan for funding recreational groups. The department held public meetings, mailed surveys and spoke with Lawrence youth,
DeVictorsaid.
The plan made skateboard accom modations a low priority. Tuttle said people's interest changed in the past two years.
Maintaining the ramps is necessary because an ordinance passed in August 1996 restricts skateboarding downtown and on University property. People older than 14 caught skating by the police receive citations.
Some local businesses support skaters by providing competition prizes.
Matt Frisbie, Play It Again Sports employee, 1029 Massachusetts St., said the store encouraged the competition because the city offers no money.
Tuttle said if businesses donated money instead of prizes, more skaters would use the park.
"We're trying to do something positive and give these kids somewhere to go," Tuttle said. "It's the only place they have to skate and it's just 60 by 40 feet."
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