The Skate Park Opens

To the Editor:

News has it the Newtown Skate Park is up and running, which has brought relief and joy to so many. It’s a jewel. A state-of-the-art facility that has far exceeded the expectations of what was to be in 2007 when the fundraising campaign started. There are so many people to thank that I decided the best way to do it is to ask you to go to our website Donatetoskate.com where you’ll find a detailed letter of thanks.

To sum up what I believe is the heart of what drove this effort forward to completion comes from our mission statement written in the very beginning of the journey. It stated: “We hope the skateboard park campaign effort will be an inspiration to any person or group in Newtown for creating other needed recreational sites for our youth, through community effort. Please consider helping us.”

The skate park exists today because many people have been instrumental in helping in different ways. Giving their time, skills, and ideas, as well as generous donations to the cause.

What’s evident is it speaks volumes of what the qualities of a caring community are. Newtown is a caring community. We have problems that people are willing to put forth their time, energy, and money to solve. We care about our most vulnerable youth residents and try to provide for their needs. Our skate park is concrete proof (no pun intended) that we can “Live and Let Live” and support causes that we may have little interest in personally but the intelligence and compassion to support them anyway! This shows that our community is opened-minded and confirms that we can have confidence in each other to consider what will make our town a better place to live for everyone and actually do something about it instead of waiting for someone else to do it. We have proven that we can do anything we set out to do with the realization that we can rely on each other to do what’s right however difficult the task.

I am elated over how well everything turned out. Every inch of our community has gained something from the effort and completion of this difficult endeavor. I personally feel a better and richer connection to the people of Newtown and would guess the skaters and everyone who helped in whatever way they could feels the same way. It’s all good!

The opening of the Newtown Skate Park is a victory shared by many. We have accomplished a great deal. We’ve believed, supported, and inspired each other to make this dream come true. When I visit the park it will always be the symbol of what a united community can do. Then come the tears of joy, amazement, and gratitude! Thank you and congratulations Newtown!

Sincerely,

Lori Capozziello

Donate To Skate

123 Toddy Hill Rd. Sandy Hook                           November 26, 2010