Conscience is working closely with the Milwaukee Skateboard Association and Save the Turf!  We have a lot of work cut out for us but we can make this happen.  All Turf updates will not always be shown on this main page....make sure to check the Skatepark Projects link to the left and the Conscience Facebook page.  Thanks for your support!

The Turf Skatepark news made the front page of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Friday, August 6, 2010.  The article features Jerry Steuernagel, the man who built and ran the skatepark from 1978 to 1996.  Jerry resides in Florida but just happened to be in town.  We ran into him Thursday at the Turf where we both found the pools filled back in.  Click here for the JSOnline article:  http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/100081804.html?page=1#comments

A lot happened within a 48 hour time period.  As the photos show above.....a crew of 50+ skateboarders gathered Wednesday afternoon and dug throughout the night to uncover one of the Turf skatepark pools.  A few people even skated a portion of it before getting kicked out by police.  Fox 6 News was there reporting and seemingly in support of our efforts!  

Check out the Fox6 news video from Wednesday night....
http://www.fox6now.com/videobeta/?watchId=cdf60522-9a41-42b8-b591-7596d66039a2

and photos from Wednesday....
http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-100805-save-the-turf-pg,0,4764497.photogallery

Sadly, upon returning Thursday morning....the DOT had already filled the pools back in and has plans of placing large cement blocks/boulders on top of them to prevent future digging. 

The photo below shows the filled in pools Thursday morning, heartbreaking. 

Fox 6 news was there again Thursday afternoon when we spoke with the City of Greenfield Mayor, Mike Neitzke, on site.

Mayor Neitzke was at least empathetic as he remembers wanting to go to the Turf when he was younger.  Right now it is out of his hands as it is the property of the State during construction.  But, it will be handed back to the City of Greenfield at the end of the year 2012.  That gives us some time to gather support and possibly funding as the main concern of the City is that the property be used for revenue generating businesses.  Could that be a skatepark......let's get creative folks! 

Here's the follow-up video from Fox 6 News at 5pm Thursday evening...
http://www.fox6now.com/videobeta/?watchId=cdf60522-9a41-42b8-b591-7596d66039a2

(CNN even picked up the story from Fox6 and featured it on their website)

 
Check out SAVE THE TURF on Facebook....in just one day over 2,400 people have shown their support!

Also see, Milwaukee Skateboard Association on Facebook.

 As many of you know the building and concrete surface that has concealed the sacred Turf skatepark pools over the last fifteen years has been pealed back. I talked to the contractor yesterday morning for a bit. He advised that this construction/destruction is due to a freeway ramp they have in the works to connect hwy ...43 to Loomis Rd. Interestingly enough, he said they had no idea that these pools were buried on the job site. These massive skate artifacts have actually been a bit of a thorn in their side as they continue to do the excavation. It seems that discovering the pools has put the project on hold...for at least a moment until they figure out how to properly destroy them and fix their drainage problems that the pools pose.

This project has not only exposed a little peak of the pools that we never thought we'd see again, but has inspired some of us to try and nurture our little pipe dream of getting to skate there once again. It seems somewhat unrealistic that the city/state would even consider gifting the Turf back to the skaters of the world, but I couldn't help from at least putting some effort to bringing it to their attention what they're about to destroy forever. I've made a few phone calls to some of the powers that be that will at least have to think about what they're doing before the destruction ensues. I'd hope they'd at least consider the possibility of preserving the park....even though it appears ultra optimistic. So either way, I encourage everyone to put some energy into this cause by calling the appropriate government organizations to let them know that there really is a value to resurrecting one of the original 1970's skateparks that somehow Milwaukee was fortunate enough to have at one time. Let’s face it, Milwaukee has yet to meet the skatepark needs in the community. Perhaps they could use this as an opportunity to satisfy that very overdue need.

Also, see Conscience Skateboards on Facebook for more updates!