Tonight is the first Micropark skate plaza fundraiser scheduled to be held at The Old Pink, 223 Allen Street (10-12pm). Lloyd Taco Truck will be out front on Allen serving tacos, while inside the bar skaters and supporters will be discussing the planning of the plaza. The group has identified a parcel of land at LaSalle Park and The City has worked with members in order to zero in on the exact site. The fundraiser will be the first in a series of events, where donations at the door will help to fund preliminary designs and drawings. JP Gillespie from Sunday Skate will be on hand to discuss the plaza and its implications for Buffalo, drawing reference from cities that have already built working models.
I spoke to Jay ‘Micropark’ McCarthy regarding the skate plaza project and he sounded upbeat regarding the committee as well as the recent talks with The City. “We have to start somewhere and we have to start now,” Jay told me. “If we can raise the initial funds ($10,000) then we’ll be well on our way to getting this project off the ground – it would give us huge momentum in trying to establish Buffalo’s first skate park. This would be a cement street-style skate plaza… great for long term use that will give local skaters a safe place to thrash for decades to come. It would help to change our city’s image as progressive and as youth-friendly.
Interested parties looking to help fund or contribute to the cause can send an email here. Buffalo Micropark is the same group that brought you the city’s first dog park, The Barkyard.