How the petition was conducted
Timeline The petition was actively circulated among residents primarily over a two to three-week period following the May 25, 2005 Open House. It was during this period that most of the signatures were gathered, totalling 1000 in the first two weeks. After that, it was available for signing at some business locations and community events. Signatures were collected from these locations in November, compiled, input into a software program, and presented to the Parks and Community Service Committee on November 16.
Content
The petition was specifically worded in support of a skatepark in North Les Sherman Park.
Method
No systematic door-to-door survey was conducted. Instead, some 20 Cathedral Area and Lakeview residents came forward and requested copies, which they circulated among neighbours and friends. Students circulated copies at Ecole Connaught and Campbell (where many Cathedral students attend highschool). The petition was available for signing at the following events:
- Cathedral Village Arts Festival.
- Ecole Connaught community barbeque.
- ‘Lords of Honktown’ art opening at the Exchange
- CJTR garage sale at the Oddfellows Hall on 13th
- A Marshall Burns concert (a Cathedral Area musician), also at the Exchange.
- “306” CD launch (a Commonweal Community Arts Project), at the Cathedral Community Centre.
We decided to concentrate on events that had a connection to either the neighbourhood or the youth community. We did not make a concerted effort to pick up signatures on particular streets, because we philosophically believe that all voices are equal. However, we did distribute an educational leaflet about skateboarding in the 2200 blocks, and received a few phone calls as a result from people who wanted to know where they could sign the support petition.
Copies of the petition were also available for signing at:
- Roca Jack’s on 13th
- Regina skateboard shops
- The indoor skatepark
Reception
The petition had a very positive reception, with almost no refusals from people approached. By comparison, volunteers who had worked on both the library and skatepark campaigns said they encountered far less refusals than with the save-the-libraries petition. Several area business people eagerly signed, as did many prominent community leaders. The petition was eagerly welcomed and promoted by the principal and teachers at Connaught school, and by members of the neighbourhood community association.
Ages of signers ranged from young children to the very elderly. Many senior citizens were particularly encouraging, and said they would like to see more kids in the park. They emphasized that the opposing voices were not representative of most seniors’ attitudes.
Actual wording of petition
A Petition For a Skateboard Park in the Cathedral Area
Because skateboarders have few safe, secure places to skate in Regina, despite the sport’s overwhelming popularity;
And Because the Cathedral Area, North Les Sherman Park has been short-listed by the City of Regina’s Skateboarding Advisory Committee as the most ideal location for a new park;
And Because appropriate engineering, watershed and biology authorities have been consulted by the City and have found no problems with the proposal;
And Because such a facility is in keeping with the Park’s sport and culture mandate, and will provide enhanced fitness and recreation opportunities for Regina citizens;
And Because this would be a welcome addition to the life and culture of the City and the Cathedral Area;
And Because this park will be attractively designed to be enjoyed by children and families for many years to come, enhancing the quality of life and the value of an inner city neighbourhood;
We the Undersigned call on the City to build a skatepark in North Les Sherman Park, as recommended and accepted by the City’s professional consultants and advisory committee members, and by the skateboarding community.
How the petition was conducted
Timeline The petition was actively circulated among residents primarily over a two to three-week period following the May 25, 2005 Open House. It was during this period that most of the signatures were gathered, totalling 1000 in the first two weeks. After that, it was available for signing at some business locations and community events. Signatures were collected from these locations in November, compiled, input into a software program, and presented to the Parks and Community Service Committee on November 16.
Content
The petition was specifically worded in support of a skatepark in North Les Sherman Park.
Method
No systematic door-to-door survey was conducted. Instead, some 20 Cathedral Area and Lakeview residents came forward and requested copies, which they circulated among neighbours and friends. Students circulated copies at Ecole Connaught and Campbell (where many Cathedral students attend highschool). The petition was available for signing at the following events:
- Cathedral Village Arts Festival.
- Ecole Connaught community barbeque.
- ‘Lords of Honktown’ art opening at the Exchange
- CJTR garage sale at the Oddfellows Hall on 13th
- A Marshall Burns concert (a Cathedral Area musician), also at the Exchange.
- “306” CD launch (a Commonweal Community Arts Project), at the Cathedral Community Centre.
We decided to concentrate on events that had a connection to either the neighbourhood or the youth community. We did not make a concerted effort to pick up signatures on particular streets, because we philosophically believe that all voices are equal. However, we did distribute an educational leaflet about skateboarding in the 2200 blocks, and received a few phone calls as a result from people who wanted to know where they could sign the support petition.
Copies of the petition were also available for signing at:
- Roca Jack’s on 13th
- Regina skateboard shops
- The indoor skatepark
Reception
The petition had a very positive reception, with almost no refusals from people approached. By comparison, volunteers who had worked on both the library and skatepark campaigns said they encountered far less refusals than with the save-the-libraries petition. Several area business people eagerly signed, as did many prominent community leaders. The petition was eagerly welcomed and promoted by the principal and teachers at Connaught school, and by members of the neighbourhood community association.
Ages of signers ranged from young children to the very elderly. Many senior citizens were particularly encouraging, and said they would like to see more kids in the park. They emphasized that the opposing voices were not representative of most seniors’ attitudes.
Actual wording of petition
A Petition For a Skateboard Park in the Cathedral Area
Because skateboarders have few safe, secure places to skate in Regina, despite the sport’s overwhelming popularity;
And Because the Cathedral Area, North Les Sherman Park has been short-listed by the City of Regina’s Skateboarding Advisory Committee as the most ideal location for a new park;
And Because appropriate engineering, watershed and biology authorities have been consulted by the City and have found no problems with the proposal;
And Because such a facility is in keeping with the Park’s sport and culture mandate, and will provide enhanced fitness and recreation opportunities for Regina citizens;
And Because this would be a welcome addition to the life and culture of the City and the Cathedral Area;
And Because this park will be attractively designed to be enjoyed by children and families for many years to come, enhancing the quality of life and the value of an inner city neighbourhood;
We the Undersigned call on the City to build a skatepark in North Les Sherman Park, as recommended and accepted by the City’s professional consultants and advisory committee members, and by the skateboarding community.
