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<DIV>Hi Everyone,</DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>Insurance news:</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV>If you need skatepark insurance most of the insurance pools will cover a
skatepark, if it is un staffed, for free or minimal charge.</DIV>
<DIV>If your park is staffed or you need to run and event and need coverage
please contact me</DIV>
<DIV><A href="mailto:sk8pks@aol.com">sk8pks@aol.com</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Private parks average $2500 a year, non profits $1000. When I first started
SPAUSA rates for skateparks were averaging $40,000 a year and some were getting
quotes as high as $125,000 per year!!!</DIV>
<DIV>There is strength to an association and one of the main benefits is risk
management.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>NASSA - North American Surf & Skateboard
Association</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV>serving Canada and USA</DIV>
<DIV>This is a shared policy for all members standard $2 million liability, $1
million per occurrence</DIV>
<DIV>Year runs Dec thru Dec - sorry no pro-rating</DIV>
<DIV>$50 to register your Chapter</DIV>
<DIV>$25 per participant</DIV>
<DIV>Ideal for leagues, schools, camps, demo teams, instruction, youth
groups etc.</DIV>
<DIV>Coverage includes travel to and from
events <STRONG><EM>if</EM></STRONG> travel is as a team /
organization.</DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM>Instructor certification!</EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV>for more info</DIV>
<DIV><A href="mailto:nassainfo@gmail.com">nassainfo@gmail.com</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>***************************************</DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>BMX</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Lots of good news these days! Park districts are reporting that their
skateparks (when built right) are the busiest parks in their district with few
if any problems.</DIV>
<DIV>BMX is still an issue - every other country allows BMX in the same park at
the same time with no problems. Here in USA almost all of the builders are
skateboarders and most tend to discourage cities from allowing BMX for 2
reasons:</DIV>
<DIV>They are skateboarders and don't want to share</DIV>
<DIV>They are trying to build below skatepark standards </DIV>
<DIV>If you city has concerns talk to other cities that allow BMX - check out
the facts as far as damage and compatibility.</DIV>
<DIV>The Cove - City of Santa Monica (separate sessions)</DIV>
<DIV>City of Las Vegas (22 parks all allow BMX at the same time)</DIV>
<DIV>City of Long Beach (joint usage same times)</DIV>
<DIV>Flagstaff (separate parks but skaters are in the BMX park and vice
versa)</DIV>
<DIV>Tempe (separate parks but skaters ride the BMX park)</DIV>
<DIV>Contact me if you need contact info for these parks.</DIV>
<DIV>*********************************************</DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>X Games</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV>X Games coming up in Aug. in Los Angeles!!!!!</DIV>
<DIV>I think they are literally the biggest show there is. Come out and skate or
visit S California skateparks and catch some of the top talent in the world
doing what they do best!</DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>Nate Wessel</STRONG> is now in charge of the skate / bmx courses.
he is a very talented designer / builder that I have worked with for years. Nate
rides BMX and skateboards and you can't fool him on any issue. He has helped us
develop skatepark standards and policy.</DIV>
<DIV>If anyone is interested in a skatepark workshop in Aug let me know. It
would be fun to host it at the X Games and tour the grounds.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>**********************************</DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>New Posting Service:</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV>Post your jobs for camps, skateparks and instructors and for RFP's on
SPAUSA.</DIV>
<DIV>Job postings are free</DIV>
<DIV>RFP's are $75 </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>Hazardous Recreational Activity</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV>If you have added skateboarding to the list of HRA's in your state
then it is safe to go under <STRONG>A<EM>assumption of Risk.</EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM>It is a strong defense!!!!</EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM>Whatever you do DO NOT copy the California Bill that IASC
(International Association of Skateboard Companies) co-wrote and pushed
through.</EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM>It is a dangerous bill endorsed by the trial attorneys and it
is full of loopholes.</EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV>Assumption of Risk is a much better defense.</DIV>
<DIV>California cities , for the most part, are operating because there are no
lawsuits on record and many cities ignore this bill entirely.</DIV>
<DIV>It was falsely presented as adding skateboarding to the list of
HRA's . It requires CA cities to arrest and ticket skaters who are not
wearing helmets and pads and that compliments their </DIV>
<DIV>"Arrest me, I'm a skateboarder" campaigns.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>Skatepark Trends</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV>Street Plazas!!!!</DIV>
<DIV>Check out this link for what is exciting and also a beautification project
for your city!</DIV>
<DIV><IMG style="WIDTH: 260px; HEIGHT: 148px" height=420
src="http://www.sitedesigngroup.com/photos/97_small3round0018.jpg"
width=700></DIV>
<DIV><A
href="http://www.sitedesigngroup.com/photos/97_small3round0018.jpg">http://www.sitedesigngroup.com/photos/97_small3round0018.jpg</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>School Skateparks!!!</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3>At last school skateparks are starting to take off. There are
popular after school programs with many grants available. We opened the first
ever school skatepark program in 2000 at Berendo Middle School. Prior to that
there was a very small (1200 sq feet nothing over 18 inches) at Huntington Beach
High School. The programs work and many school s are including
skateboarding in the curriculum.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>Other News</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4>
<P style="WIDTH: 600px"><A
title=http://www.readthehook.com/stories/2008/05/15/ONARCH-refeed-0720.aspx
style="COLOR: blue"
href="http://www.readthehook.com/stories/2008/05/15/ONARCH-refeed-0720.aspx">ONARCHITECTURE-
Family feud: Skaters rejoice, supes kvetch</A><BR><FONT size=-1><FONT
color=#666666>The Hook - Charlottesville,VA,USA</FONT><BR><B>...</B> resurfacing
as well as top-of-the-line features from Spohn Ranch, a California company that
has built over 400 <B>skateparks</B> across the country.
<B>...</B><BR> </FONT></P>
<P style="WIDTH: 600px"><A
title=http://www.wdnweb.com/articles/2008/05/15/news/news02.txt
style="COLOR: blue"
href="http://www.wdnweb.com/articles/2008/05/15/news/news02.txt">Behavior is
problem at skatepark</A><BR><FONT size=-1><FONT color=#666666>Washington Daily
News - Washington,NC,USA</FONT><BR>The mayor hopes the state will make it easier
in the future for cities like Washington to have <B>skateparks</B> by addressing
liability concerns that may keep <B>...</B><BR> </FONT></P>
<P style="WIDTH: 600px"><A
title=http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/sundaystartimes/auckland/4525281a22395.html
style="COLOR: blue"
href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/sundaystartimes/auckland/4525281a22395.html">Kids
cry out for skatepark</A><BR><FONT size=-1><FONT color=#666666>Auckland
stuff.co.nz - Auckland,New Zealand</FONT><BR>Ignatious says the Lloyd Elsmore
skatepark wasn’t designed properly, so they don’t use it and the other
<B>skateparks</B> are too far away.
<B>...</B><BR></FONT></P></FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><A title=http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=578156&hp
style="COLOR: blue"
href="http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=578156&hp"><FONT
size=4><STRONG>Off the Rails</STRONG></FONT></A><BR><FONT size=-1><FONT
color=#666666>TheStranger.com - Seattle,WA,USA</FONT><BR>But, as it often goes
with <B>skateparks</B>, the Seattle parks department's plan to build a
10000-square-foot skate spot in West Seattle came off the rails last
<B>...</B><BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=-1><A
title=http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080513/NEWS01/805130310/1002
style="COLOR: blue"
href="http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080513/NEWS01/805130310/1002"><STRONG><FONT
size=4>Skatepark bid approved</FONT></STRONG></A><BR><FONT size=-1><FONT
color=#666666>Hattiesburg American - Hattiesburg,MS,USA</FONT><BR>California
<B>Skateparks</B> Inc., which has built <B>skateparks</B> around the nation,
submitted the winning bid of $300000. The company had earlier submitted a bid of
<B>...</B><BR></FONT></DIV></FONT>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=4> </FONT></STRONG><A
title="http://www.harlowherald.co.uk/content/hlwherald/news/story.aspx?brand=HLHOnline&category=NewsHarlow&tBrand=HertsCambsOnline&tCategory=newslatestHLH&itemid=WEED09 May 2008 16:23:01:560"
style="COLOR: blue"
href="http://www.harlowherald.co.uk/content/hlwherald/news/story.aspx?brand=HLHOnline&category=NewsHarlow&tBrand=HertsCambsOnline&tCategory=newslatestHLH&itemid=WEED09%20May%202008%2016%3A23%3A01%3A560"><STRONG><FONT
size=4>Deadline looms for Essex cash</FONT></STRONG></A><BR><FONT size=-1><FONT
color=#666666>Harlow Herald 24 - Stevenage,England,UK</FONT><BR>The scheme
supports exciting initiatives ranging from public open spaces and refurbished
community centres to <B>skateparks</B> and play buses. <B>...</B></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=-1><STRONG></STRONG></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=-1><A
title=http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/nelsonmail/4520805a6510.html
style="COLOR: blue"
href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/nelsonmail/4520805a6510.html"><STRONG><FONT
size=4>Grand opening for skatepark</FONT></STRONG></A><BR><FONT size=-1><FONT
color=#666666>The Nelson Mail - Nelson,New Zealand</FONT><BR>New Zealand Civil
Construction foreman Russell Zittersteijn, who has built other <B>skateparks</B>
throughout the country, said the Nelson project was particularly
<B>...</B><BR></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=-1><FONT size=-1><A
title=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/st-kildas-devil-of-a-triangle/2008/05/09/1210131265792.html
style="COLOR: blue"
href="http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/st-kildas-devil-of-a-triangle/2008/05/09/1210131265792.html"><STRONG><FONT
size=4>St Kilda's devil of a triangle</FONT></STRONG></A><BR><FONT size=-1><FONT
color=#666666>The Age - Melbourne,Victoria,Australia</FONT><BR>What could be
more in keeping with the "gritty" spirit of St Kilda than boarding houses or
<B>skateparks</B>? Only streetwalkers come to mind.
<B>...</B><BR></FONT></DIV></FONT>
<DIV>
<P style="WIDTH: 600px"><A
title=http://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/2008/may/07/skating_toward_construction/
style="COLOR: blue"
href="http://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/2008/may/07/skating_toward_construction/"><FONT
size=4><STRONG>Skating toward construction</STRONG></FONT></A><BR><FONT
size=-1><FONT color=#666666>Steamboat Pilot - Steamboat
Springs,CO,USA</FONT><BR>He said the park is only about 5000 square feet;
typical Colorado <B>skateparks</B> are 10000 to 15000 square feet. As a result,
Casson said beginners and experts <B>...</B></FONT></P>
<P style="WIDTH: 600px"><A
title=http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/may/07/new-parks-skaters-flying-high/
style="COLOR: blue"
href="http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/may/07/new-parks-skaters-flying-high/"><STRONG><FONT
size=4>New park's skaters flying high</FONT></STRONG></A><BR><FONT size=-1><FONT
color=#666666>Knoxville News Sentinel - Knoxville,TN,USA</FONT><BR>The current
park was designed and built by California <B>Skateparks</B>, which has developed
more than 130 such parks around the country. <B>...</B><BR></FONT></P><A
title=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2004393998_proparks06.html
style="COLOR: blue"
href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2004393998_proparks06.html"><STRONG><FONT
size=4>Let's take a vote on a new parks levy</FONT></STRONG></A><BR><FONT
size=-1><FONT color=#666666>Seattle Times - United States</FONT><BR><B>...</B>
pedestrian and bike paths connecting neighborhoods to light-rail stations in the
Rainier Valley; and more <B>skateparks</B>, ballfields and trails.
<B>...</B><BR></FONT><BR></DIV></FONT>
<DIV><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2 PTSIZE="10" FAMILY="SANSSERIF">Thank you for
contacting <BR>Heidi Lemmon<BR>executive director<BR></FONT><FONT lang=0
style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" face=Arial color=#ff0000 size=2 PTSIZE="10"
FAMILY="SANSSERIF" BACK="#000000"><B>SKATEPARK ASSOCIATION est.
1996</FONT></FONT><FONT lang=0 face=Arial color=#000000 size=2 PTSIZE="10"
FAMILY="SANSSERIF"></B><BR><A href="http://www.spausa.org/">www.spausa.org</A>
<A href="http://www.myspace.com/spausa">www.myspace.com/spausa</A><BR>310 495
7112 cell 310 261 2816<BR>Risk Management . Construction Guidelines . Events .
Certification<BR>It is a great day to build a
skatepark!<BR></FONT></DIV></FONT></FONT><BR><BR><BR><DIV><FONT style="color: black; font: normal 10pt ARIAL, SAN-SERIF;"><HR style="MARGIN-TOP: 10px">Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? <A title="http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001" href="http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001" target="_blank">Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food</A>.</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>