Independence, HIH, and HCA Midwest

[cavemantom242]

:DHIH and HIH volunteer doc Dr Dyck are organizing a helmet awareness event for Independence skate park.
So the deal is we start planning next week but with the negative scene at the Independence skate park we need to get this going strong and a solid crew of both skaters and city officials. The goal is 300 helmets, Triple 8 of course.
The plan is to do what we did in LS but amp it bigger and better.
If you want to help holla at me, 816 820 3066.
What I need right away is some words of encouragement directed to the good folks of Independence mo, that if we do this it may shine a positive light in a kind of dim part of independence.
If you can send a reason why or why not you think a helmet awareness program would be good for there park, this would be a good start.
HIH meets early this next week with HCA Midwest DR Dyck and city officials to lock down the plans if your down for it post why and what ideas you have.
Much love to the KC skate crew
Tom.

[skaterdan]

Tom,
I am down for sure!

I believe that a good example is the best thing anyone can do for that park. All it would take is one or two of the regulars at the park to begin doing the right thing and others will follow. In much the same way that tolerance for rude behavior has been excepted in the past. If the kids that go there realize that it doesn't have to be that way and that they alone are the ones that can change it in a positive way then the culture of deviance at that park will change. I think that just showing a better way would provide those regulars that do not like how things are there now some encouragement to do what they know is right.

I believe that just showing up one day and having an event then never returning would only help a little bit. To do it right relationships must be made with key individuals that attend that park regularly before the event. Then including them in the event will give us more credibility. After the event we need to keep up the support for those individuals who want to wear a helmet and skate safely. This is similar to what you and others have done at Lees Summit.

As always I have allot more ideas and will be ready for whatever may be needed to help this great cause.

[jimmyk]

Tom, of course I'm in.

skaterdan's words are well spoken and what he said makes alot of sense. Independence presents what I would think is one of the toughest challenges here in KC to do something like this.

Obviously, the first thing to come to mind about any event at the skatepark there is security. There's plenty of territorial and gang type stuff to deal with there. However, there is also a really cool group of core locals who would like to have any event there. I'm not sure how you could encourage parents to trust bringing their kids for an event at the skatepark when all they hear about is negative?

In reference to skaterdan's idea, certainly skating with the Indy crew more than just at that one event would certainly help. I still like that bowl, I'm down for that.

Parking would be an issue there for a large event too. At the grand opening, they let alot of people park on the grass. All they have close to the skatepark is a small lot with maybe 14 - 16 spots?

Overall, I think an HIH event here is a good idea. The challenges for this event will only help us in the long run. Like the folks from HCA said at Lees Summit; "If each event prevents even one TBI somewhere down the road, than it's all worthwhile". I agree.......

[cavemantom242]

Keep the ideas a flowing
thank you Dan and thank you Jim
all great ideas
now more planning
let you all know the progress of
our meeting mid next week.
Tom