Andover Skatepark
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Print out one of these: paul-king-donation-sheet09.doc  and get crackin on those donations!!!!

a few quick reminders:
 - The person who raises the most money will be rewarded handsomely!!!!
 - Each person that makes a donation to the Paul King Memorial Skate-a-thon will be entered
into a raffle and a chance to win $250 cold hard cash!!!!!

I would like to take a second to thank everyone who made this years Paul King Memorial one of the best events that Andover has ever seen. So many people’s input, ideas and hard work went into the most memorable 24 hours in Andover Skate Park history. I think those who knew Paul, would all agree that he was definitely looking down on us with a huge smile that day!

This event was started because Paul was an inspiration to the staff at the skate park. Paul will continue to inspire us through the excitement and energy that the skaters of the park continue to display. You spent countless hours deciding contest format, designing posters and this website, hanging up flyer’s and walking house to house raising money for the cause. Thank you for all that you did to make this happen.

We like to claim that the Andover Skate Park is one of the best municipal (town run) skate parks on the East Coast and events like this help to solidify that belief. With the support of every skate shop within 60 miles, we are able to provide young skaters the chance to see top-notch amateur skaters at their local park and go home with skateboards, sneakers, shirts and of course plenty of stickers! Thank you for all that you continue to do to help our skate park.

As most of you know, the Andover Skate Park was started by a small group of skaters and a dedicated group of adults. Those kids and the folks at the Andover Youth Services, particularly Bill Fahey, deserve a huge thanks from anyone who has skated at our park. This group stood up for what they wanted and Bill helped them through a tough bureaucratic process that allowed for Andover and the Merrimack Valley to be home of a great skate park! Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the young people of this community and thank you for your continued support of the Andover Skate Park - we would not be where we are today without you.

J.J., Norma and Judy - I’m not even sure how to thank you guys. You all gave so selflessly. You attended every meeting, made countless phone calls, helped to focus me when necessary, donated your time and money and helped to carry Paul’s energy throughout the entire event. The day would not have been possible without you.

There are countless individuals and groups that made this day possible and I would like to thank you all right now. You know who you are - you are the ones who are still trying to catch up on sleep or explain to your friends where you were that weekend. THANK YOU!!!

With all this help, the Andover Skate Park was able to raise almost $86,000 for ramp repairs and the construction of a new ramp. For more stories about this event, please check out these newspaper articles:

http://www.andovertownsman.com/townspeople/local_story_177175858.html?keyword=topstory

http://www.eagletribune.com/punews/local_story_175024103.html

Thanks again for everything. I look forward to seeing you down at the park throughout the summer!

Tony Lombardi

Skate Park Manager and Program Coordinator - Andover Youth Services

A decade ago a young man from Andover stood before his neighbors to address them on the merits of voting in favor of article 65. A ‘YES on 65’ would give the young people of Andover the right to build a place where they could escape their highly organized sports and other recreational activities. A skate park would be a place ‘just for fun and noncompetitive people… regardless of their skill level.’ This statement still rings true today and the skate park remains a positive and dynamic atmosphere that ‘allows kids to be creative and provides some balance in our (their) lives in terms of expression and exercise.’

For 10 years, the Andover Skate Park has been organized, maintained and supported by the Andover Youth Services. Over this time, the Andover Skate Park has given people of all ages the opportunity to enjoy a dynamic atmosphere, fueled by creativity, dedication and passion. The Youth Services and Skate Park staff are committed to ensuring a safe and positive environment for people of all ages and abilities. Aside from great professional demos, the Andover Skate Park is home to many great events, including BBQs, concerts, and contests. It has always been the intention that the Andover Skate Park would be a place for young people in the Merrimack Valley to express themselves in diverse, dynamic and creative ways, through skateboarding, music, painting or maybe something else. We hope that we will see you down at the park sometime this season. Whether you are new to skateboarding, trying to rediscover your inner-thrasher or have been waiting since October 2007 for the park to open, please c’mon down and check things out.

Any and all contributions are welcome and appreciated to make this dream a reality for the benefit of the kids in our community. For those of you who knew Paul, we ask that you find a way to contribute in some way to this community he so strongly supported. For those of you who just know him through this brief introduction, we hope that you share Paul’s goal of a safe, positive and fun environment for the skaters in our town.

PLATINUM: $25,000
Concession Stand
Skull Ramp

GOLD $10,000
Check in Area
Music Stage
Pyramid

SILVER $5,000
Spectator Area
First Aide
Prize Area
Mini Ramp
Hip Rail

BRONZE $1,000
Snow Plow
6 Foot ¼ pipe
Conner bowl
Small Box
Big Box
Spine
Bank to Ledge
Long Flat Box
Flat Bank
C Ledge
Tilted Manny Pad

He wore a tye-dye Spiderman t-shirt. He was forty years old. He had no children, but had a gift of interaction with them. When he wasn’t free-falling in the sky with a parachute strapped on his back, or skating at the Andover Skate Park, he was fixing computers. As for Paul’s personality, he was a go-getter, and would act and take the initiative no matter what the situation. He taught many lessons in life but two stand out; the importance of perseverance, and to celebrate myself and to have a capacity to love. Such a monumental person will forever be engraved in my heart, and not only mine, but everyone else who has ever felt pulled towards Paul and touched in a truly special way by him. When one single human being makes such an impact on you, the impossible is sometimes suspended, and dreams are left to float around freely.”

Taken from an 18 year old’s college essay about Paul, who prefers to remain anonymous.

Paul was a successful businessman who owned his own Information Technology Company but still made time to be an avid fund-raiser and supporter for many organizations throughout his life. He took up aggressive inline skating when he was in his late 30s. He was a frequent visitor to the skate park where he was usually the oldest person - and quickly befriended the kids and staff. He built up his skill level amazingly fast. He showed everyone at the park that you should never be afraid to try something new and have fun. One day, during a conversation about raising money for a new ramp, Paul suggested that the skate park hold a 24-hour skate-a-thon. Sadly he passed away in 2003 in a sky diving accident before his vision could become a reality. His death devastated the skate park community and since that time, the Andover Youth Services and the Andover Community Skate Park have been working toward achieving his vision of an all-day, all-night skate event. The Paul King Memorial gives the community the chance to recognize Paul’s importance to the skatepark and remember his passion and fire. Since that time, it has been our mission to honor him and make this dream come true! Our goal is to raise money to improve and maintain the park. The most important of the upgrades will be a fantastic new skate ramp in Paul’s memory!

For information about the event and how you can help us remember Mr. King, please email Tony Lombardi or call the AYS office at 978-623-8241.