Pantagraph.com | News | New skateboarding accommodations to deck O’Neil Park

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Awesome! wrote on Oct 11, 2007 7:35 AM:

" This is awesome! "

Resident wrote on Oct 11, 2007 7:00 AM:

" "Clarification" and the other posters are correct. Bloomington's crime rate is BETTER (lower) than 14 of the 18 cities listed, and did improve by almost 10% last year. In fact, the crime rate for BN is among the lowest in the US for metro areas 100,000-500,000. Anyone that knows Peoria (pop 111,000) and isn't out to slander BN knows that the crme rate here (pop 126,000) is much better. The Pantagraph story is, at best, confusing, and at worst, inaccurate. Oh, and just because a baby dies does not mean it was murdered; that is up to an investigation, the state's attorney, and a grand jury to decide. And an unsolved crime still counts as a crime. "

Twila Braden wrote on Oct 10, 2007 10:06 PM:

" Jeff and Jon, you have done a great job! Your persitence has finally paid off, I am so proud of both of you. George and I want to thank you, the City Council, Dean Kohn, and everyone that has worked so hard, to make this project a success. Thanks for keeping the dream alive! "

Jeff Knuth (Bloomington / Normal Skateparks Committee) wrote on Oct 10, 2007 8:40 PM:

" Thanks for all the great comments I have read on here ! I also want to thank the City Council, Dean Kohn, the skateboarders, BMX riders, in-line skaters, family, friends, and ALL the other supporters that helped make the skatepark a reality. The product will be ordered by Oct. 20th, the basketball goals will be relocated, the concrete work will be done, and the equipment is planned to be installed by the 3rd week of November. American Ramp also has a Grand Opening package with 100 t-shirts, skateboard decks, key chains, and more ! Take a moment to check out my web site at the "Bloomington, Illinois Skatepark Project - Plus ! Sign my guest book if you wish, and feel free to leave your comments !! "

Someone who has waited wrote on Oct 10, 2007 9:31 AM:

" Thanks City of Bloomington! GREAT JOB THOSE WHO KEPT THIS PROJECT GOING!!!! "

Another Skater Mom formerly of Bloomington wrote on Oct 10, 2007 8:03 AM:

" My son who is now 24, educated, LAN job at a factory & homeowner will most likely go to this skatepark when it is done. Yes, he STILL skateboards & we all live by E. Peoria. He is respectful, not destructive, wasn't & still isn't one of the "stereotypes" some people believe is typical of ALL skateboarders. It seems because of this assumption, they have to fight for their rights. Yes, they sometimes have a certain dress & some sport a beanie, but look at some of the other kids running around that don't skate. These kids/young adults all have a sincere love for skateboarding. My son even helps teach individuals who are wanting to learn what he's already mastered. I would imagine anywhere a skatepark is made, you will have some who will be destructive & cause problems, but they are in the minority. I can count on my son when he visits to be respectful to the area & stand up to protect others if things got out of hand and do his part to keep the park in good condition! Thank-you Bloomington for the skatepark! "

Whats Up wrote on Oct 10, 2007 6:55 AM:

" What is up we have a park for the kids to use and be safe while using it. This park isn't geared to a selected few kids. All ages will be using it. This a year round sport. Great job city council for seeing the need. "

yes remember wrote on Oct 9, 2007 6:40 PM:

" this when you vote. the city kept there promise to the kids that was made several years ago..now if we could only get tom out of there !!!! "

way to go wrote on Oct 9, 2007 5:40 PM:

" good job jeff im looking forward to seeing the kids use it . i think we should have a grand opening for it with food and drinks for the kids. and i'll be the first to donate $$$ to help with the cost of it..bill m . "

Right on Krusty wrote on Oct 9, 2007 3:53 PM:

" Remember these events when you vote.... "

sk8 wrote on Oct 9, 2007 3:52 PM:

" To bad the local Gangstas will take it over within the first 2 months. Wanna bet,You watch ,It will happen..... You tried to walk in to Jewel Osco Lately. Dozens of rude kids block the entrance and exit,dumping soda and food on the ground in front of the doors,not to mention spitting.Likely from Cabrini...Oops i mean Turnberry...There is a reason why there are so few places to go and have some fun for teens.CRIME.Most kids today are snotty little smartmouths who think vandalism is a right........................................... "

Krusty Krab wrote on Oct 9, 2007 3:44 PM:

" Good job City Council! You have a looming $2 MILLION dollar shortfall in your operating budget and you just went out and bought a $170,000 ice cream cone. "

To Citizen wrote on Oct 9, 2007 3:34 PM:

" Thank you for saying something positive and truthful about our youth. "

Excellent! wrote on Oct 9, 2007 1:33 PM:

" Now I'll have someplace cool to wear my dirty black t-shirt and droopy drawers. Thanks, bro. "

To Clarification wrote on Oct 9, 2007 11:46 AM:

" Bloomington-Normal has had murders this year, they are just either unsolved or not charged by the prosecutors. There was just an article in the last week or two about a baby that was killed. But when no one gets charged they tend to get forgotten by the general public. "

Happy mother wrote on Oct 9, 2007 11:29 AM:

" Thank you Bloomington City Council members for doing this!! "

To: Did Something Right? wrote on Oct 9, 2007 10:40 AM:

" Perhaps the money was better spent on underground bunkers for everyone to hide in? Just because your risk aversion borders on paranoia doesn't mean everyone else has to. Someone will get hurt, no doubt, but someone got hurt crossing the street yesterday, somewhere. Maybe we should ban roadways? "

i think wrote on Oct 9, 2007 10:21 AM:

" This is awesome!! Pekin has had one for a while, and it really does give the older kids somthing to do. I do wish it were in a more populated area, so they can be monitored a lil easier, but this was the best thing that could happen. I wish they would have done this before the colisium! And to "normals crime rate" I am a lil surprised and scared by your comment i am supposed to move to lincoln square shortly and my neighbors are lil old ladies. I guess I am mostly wondering why you think they have such a bad rep? Orlando has been bad since I was in High School. Nothing going to change out there!!! But Lincoln Square? huh! any rate I am so very excited for the skaters in the area!! thats GREAT and this artical made a lot of kids days today thats for sure!!! :) awesome!!!! "

Citizen wrote on Oct 9, 2007 8:41 AM:

" I was at last nights City Council meeting and I pay property taxes in Bloomington. The young people did a great job of representing themselves. The City Council did the right thing. Money well spent. "

Did Something Right? wrote on Oct 9, 2007 8:27 AM:

" You bet they did, if your a lawyer!! The law firms can't wait for this thing to be built. Glad I'm not a Bloomington taxpayer. This park is going to be a liability nightmare. You might want to get Lifeline substation to locate at O'neil park. "

Skater Mom wrote on Oct 9, 2007 8:23 AM:

" And thank you to Jeff Knuth who has been very instrumental in getting this approved. I have not met you, Jeff...but I applaud what you are doing for our youth. "

Great news!! wrote on Oct 9, 2007 8:16 AM:

" Now some of the older kids of Bloomington will have a place to (forgive the term) play and hang out that will not offend or distrub anyone else. GOOD FOR BLOOMINGTON, YA DID SOMETHING RIGHT!!! "

Skater Mom wrote on Oct 9, 2007 8:15 AM:

" Thank you City Council, Thank you Mr. Kohn, Thank you, Mr. Perkins and to all those involved! "

Robert wrote on Oct 9, 2007 7:28 AM:

" To Clarification: No - that meant our crime rate is higher than those cities listed. We are behind them on the list - usually means we're worse. Also, the crime rate isn't based soley on murder. There are many, many other things that factor into the crime rate. The article is as clear as can be. "

Normal's crime rate... wrote on Oct 9, 2007 6:55 AM:

" would be even lower, if they'd do a better job of cracking down on the Orlando area, and maybe some up in the Lincoln Square location too. I happen to know one resident of Orlando that will get a sinus cavity full of lead if he attempts to come to my house after assulting my kid and taking driver's license and money. "

Matty Groves wrote on Oct 9, 2007 6:30 AM:

" I was at the meeting and the data is that Bloomington has a lower crime rate than 14 out of the 18 Cities surveyed. "

Clarification wrote on Oct 9, 2007 1:04 AM:

" This article isn't very clear, but I know that Bloomington's crime rate is way lower (better) than the other cities mentioned, like Peoria, Kankakee, etc. For example, Peoria has something like 16 murders so far this year, and Bloomington has zero. I think the story means that Bloomington is BETTER than 14 of 18 cities. The Pantagraph also reported a week or two ago that the crime rate was down over 9% here from the previous year. I think Normal also has a good crime rate (and no murders), although it was up slightly over last year. "

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