Mission

TSU would like to thank the following individuals, businesses, churches and

organizations for their involvement:

Wauwatosa Recreation Department

Johnson’s Cycle and Fitness

Ride bike shop

Wauwatosa Village Business Improvement District

Wauwatosa School District

Anyssa Johnson & Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Site Design Group

Village Popcorn

Wauwatosa Police Department

Wauwatosa Youth Commission

Phase II Skate Shop

Wauwatosa Common Council & Boards

Wauwatosa Neighborhood Watch Steering Committee

Wauwatosa NOW

Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design

First Congregational Church and Pastor Rob Brink

TSU’s Mission

Text Box: The Tosa Skateboarders United skateboard park project began in early 2004 as the Wauwatosa, WI community realized the need for a facility of its type for local kids. There are currently over 40 public skate parks in Wisconsin, but nothing within Wauwatosa or Milwaukee County. There are also numerous soccer fields, basketball courts and softball diamonds- but no legal place for skateboarders and BMX bikers to practice their sport. A public forum was held on the topic of providing a skateboard park in the city. Citizen adults & youth, business leaders, teachers, the recreation department and the police department attended in support of the cause. Soon after the forum a group of interested community volunteers came together to turn this idea into a reality. Now, many of the kids are becoming involved with all of the steps in a community project such as, speaking and demonstrating to the community and planning the construction process. TSU teamed up with MIAD the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, under the direction of instructor Jill Sebastian, to develop a model and design of the park using the TSU kid’s wants and needs. In early 2007 the city confirmed a location and plot of land in Hart Park for the TSU Skate park development. Since then TSU has contracted Site Design Group of California to create our conceptual design shown on our home page and Tosa Park Design page. The park will be a free public park, open from dawn to dusk all year-round. Its design will serve all users (from ages 4 to 18+) and all skill levels. The plaza concept is aesthetically appealing and will mesh with the look of the surrounding community. TSU has done all fund raising to date because both Milwaukee County and the City of Wauwatosa state that there are no funds available for the project. This is the primary reason TSU has become a 501(c) (3) “Non-Profit” Charity Organization. With this charity status we can offer tax deductible donation receipts and apply for grants from children’s organizations, foundations and skate industry corporations to help with our funding. Tosa Skateboarders United board meetings are usually the 4th Thursday of every month in the Civic Center Auditorium at Wauwatosa’s City Hall, 6:30pm. Please come join us if you like. Although it is a brief history, we Thank You for taking interest in our organization. If you would like any more information or would like to make a donation, please feel free to contact us. Please join our Yahoo Group or Facebook page to receive email updates and notices of special events. We appreciate any ideas you may have to share with us. We need all the help we can get.

To contact us: 414-475-6510 or info@tosaskateboardersunited.org

Tosa Skateboarders United

Mission Statement

-to address the community’s need for a skateboard park

-to raise the funds necessary and build a skateboard park that will meet, and hopefully exceed, the needs of the youth in Tosa

-to raise public awareness of skating and help integrate skaters and the community in a positive manner

-to provide a legal and appropriate place for skaters to practice their sport

-to show skaters their wants are recognized and important to the community

-to provide youth a new, non-traditional outlet for physical exercise, mental stimulation and recreation; which will help develop coordination, cardio vascular health and physical strength

-to engage youth in social cooperation and to combat juvenile delinquency by providing psychological and emotional outlets for stress

Tosa Skateboarders United, Inc.

Building a public skate & BMX park in Wauwatosa , WI

WHY WAUWATOSA NEEDS A SKATEBOARD/BMX PARK

-to promote physical exercise, mental stimulation, social cooperation, & to combat juvenile delinquency & childhood obesity

-skateboarding is prohibited on public streets by State law

-skateboards, inline skates and BMX bikes are banned from school property, parking lots and play yards.

-to help get the kids off of the streets, private and public property by directing them to an appropriate and desirable location

-to reduce the number of complaints by the Businesses and Churches that are affected by skaters, BMX bikers and inline skaters

-to reduce the number of tickets issued by the Police Department and reduce the number of incidents in which the Police have to address skating and biking in inappropriate areas

-to provide a place for kids to use their time developing coordination and skills improvement

-to give the skaters/bikers their own designated place to ride and spend time with friends

-to send a strong, positive message that Wauwatosa cares about its youth by investing in them

-there are over 70 public skate parks in WI but none in Wauwatosa or the Metro-Milwaukee area

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A PARK IN TOSA?

-relieve pressure of skating and biking on private & City property

-health benefits for Tosa’s youth who are not involved in traditional sports, such as developing…

-coordination and cardio vascular health

-physical strength and toughness

-the strong mental focus skating/biking requires

-psychological and emotional outlets for stress and a way to express individuality and creativity

-there are no public facilities of this kind in Milwaukee County

-the park will promote positive interaction between skaters/bikers, law enforcement and the general community

-the skaters/bikers interests will be validated as part of the community

-building this park would give the City of Wauwatosa a chance to provide a much-needed recreational facility to a large and continuously growing population of young athletes

WHY HART PARK?

-It will help to make Hart Park a “Destination Park” with its cutting edge design.

-Central location for Tosa citizens. Kids can use the parkway system from all areas of Tosa making it easier to access than many other possible locations.

-The design of the park will invite not only skaters/bikers but also community spectators. This will help dispel negative feelings toward skaters and bikers.

-The design is aesthetically appealing and will compliment the “look” of the village and Hart Park.

-There is plenty of space in the Hart Park area to accommodate not only a skate park, but also the softball diamond and soccer field needed in the city.

Needs & Benefits