May 3, 2010

Dear FNSP Members,

As you may know, the Newburyport Skate Park has been operating only with volunteer skate guards in recent weeks, due to the lack of city funding. And at times, the park has been closed due to lack of volunteers. Andi Egmont, Supervisor of Youth Services for the city of Nwburyport had tried operating the park without guards throughout the spring and both she and school officials found it to be problematic, and want the management plan to continue through the use of skate guards. Parents that gathered at City Hall back in September, and in recent weeks, agree. Funding for the guards is needed through the remainder of the fiscal year, ending June 30th - a sum of approximately $3,000.

While the FNSP would like the city to supply the funding, that's not going to happen for the remainder of this fiscal year. Through emails and dialogues, businesses and parents have stepped forward, offering support, and in the past week, donations have begun to flow in - a total of $1440 so far.

I spoke with Andi this morning and she has agreed to re-hire guards if the FNSP can assist in closing the gap of $1660. So, I'd like to roll out this fundraising endeavor and ask parents, skaters, and the business community to make donations.

Please spread the word, and please contribute whatever amount you can. Donations can be made to FNSP/City Improvement Society and mailed c/o Eramo, 28R Toppans Lane, Newburyport, MA 01950. The tax ID # is 510204486.

Additionally, the annual Skate Fest is in planning and a date will be set within the next few days, mid-week in mid-June, before the last day of public school. I will let you all know when the official date is set, and we will need volunteers to help with the planning. The Skate Fest acts as a celebration, as well as a fundraiser. The first Skate Fest in 2004 raised $3500 - recent years have netted only $1,000 - so we need to ramp it up this year. Funds collected from the Skate Fest in years past have subsidized the skate guard funding, and park maintentance.

This week - perhaps as early as tomorrow, the FNSP is paying for the long-overdue repairs to the concrete. Tim Coolidge is spearheading that effort, along with parents Bob & Tracy Pezzella.

Thank you to all that have communicated ideas and particiated in volunteerism in recent months, to insure the skate park continues to operate in a healthy way. Your efforts were not in vain!

Andi will be posting the Skate Guard positions within the week, and guards will be hired. And beginning July 1st, a new fiscal year will begin and the city will again fund the guards. However, the amount of city funding is still unknown and the FNSP needs to encourage the city to not allow this current dynamic to continue, as the skate guards require ongoing funding - approximately $12,000 annually. Please feel free to communicate your support of city funding to the Youth Services office, the Mayor, and City Councilors.

Lastly, please donate to the FNSP so we can quickly close our $1660 gap! Send checks to:
FNSP/City Improvement Society
c/o Eramo
28R Toppans Lane
Newburyport, MA 01950

Thank you everyone!

Sincerely,

Ginny Eramo
gvalway@aol.com
978.621.3215