The Hammonton Gazette 08/24/22 Edition | Page 5

Page 4 • Wednesday , August 24 , 2022 • The Hammonton Gazette

Skate Hammonton draws skaters for event at 11th St .

SKATE , from Page 1 to support the group and the event , using the ramps provided and enjoying a place to call their own for a few hours . The pavement seemed to be just right for the skateboards , and the participants noted that fact . Many skaters showed off their skills on the wooden ramps , or by doing tricks on the pavement . Older skaters were out on the pavement along with the younger skaters , showing off some tricks and teaching other newer skaters at the event .
Skate Hammonton hopes having an event like this for the skating community can help to teach younger skaters some new tricks , and to engage with their hobby in a safe area .
“ If this one goes well , then the township will approve the next one ,” Jasmine Kinezle said .
The non-profit has high hopes for more events such as this one , with six other skating events being discussed . The events would take place on Fridays , running from 3 p . m . to dusk .
Susan Lee and April Martin were both at the event supporting Skate Hammonton . Both Lee and Martin explained that the nearest skate parks from Hammonton were either the shore towns like Brigantine or Ocean City , or rather Cherry Hill if heading north . Lee expressed that there are big skating communities in the middle of these towns , and that there are no designated areas for the communities living in them .
“ Egg Harbor Township is huge , Mays Landing is huge … There needs to be something for the community ,” Lee said .
Martin told The Gazette that she had seen the Brigantine skatepark and was not impressed by the design .
“ Brigantine just opened and it ’ s not that great ,” Martin said .
She went further into detail , and said that there was another skate park there in the 1970s , but the park was run down . The newer skate park did not appeal to Martin , even if the drive was closer than Cherry Hill .
Having a local skate night for the community in Hammonton makes it accessible to the surrounding communities as well . Lee said that it was an exciting opportunity for Skate Hammonton to be one of the first communities in the area to have an event like this . The two women hope the event draws attention from Atlantic County as a whole , bringing skaters together and creating awareness for the hobby .
“ I grew up in the ‘ 90s when
skateboarders were kind of rebels … but it ’ s so nice for kids to have a place to do this safely ,” Lee said .
Skate Hammonton and their supporters are hoping to encourage other younger kids to enjoy their passion in a safe environment , as well as creating a compassionate community . Lee expressed this thought , and explained why it was important for Skate Hammonton to have this community .
“ That ’ s what we ’ re hoping , maybe kids who aren ’ t into basketball or baseball , or even if you are … doesn ’ t matter who you are , if you ’ re the best skateboarder or the worst , it ’ s really a community and everyone helps each other . They push each other to be their best ,” Lee said .
The non-profit is hopeful that the next event will be approved , and that the skaters of Hammonton will come out to support the event . For any readers interested in the Skate Hammonton community and their upcoming plans , head to their website at skatehammonton . org . The waivers and details for the skate events can be found there , as well as on their Facebook and Instagram pages .
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