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Rally for a Skatepark
ROBERTO CLEMENTE PARK
MAY 28, 2022
Why did we rally?​
Our initial efforts as an organization were focused on Roberto Clemente Park, where over 1,100 truckloads of toxic waste were illegally dumped. Unfortunately, marginalized communities of color like ours are often primary targets for corporate negligence. Local government officials are often inactive in addressing these issues, exacerbating the problem. For years, young children and adults in our community lacked a safe community park, with the toxic waste even affecting local water quality.
Despite promises to restore and improve the park, including creating a skate park for young adults, nothing was done. In response, on May 28, 2022, the newly formed District 1 Youth Advisory Board organized a rally of over 70 people, including Brentwood's youth, residents, and local leaders, to call out the Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter. This event, the first-ever organized by the Youth Board, was a show of strength to prove to the Town of Islip that Brentwood will no longer be overlooked.
We demanded answers from Angie Carpenter about her promise to build a skatepark in Brentwood for the public to use. Unfortunately, it's been over four years, and no action has been taken on the construction of a skatepark. The rally and protest were attended by two Brentwood representatives as well: Suffolk County Legislator Samuel Gonzalez and Town of Islip Councilman Jorge Guadron. Together, the community stood in solidarity as a movement to ensure that promises made are promises kept.
What happened?​
After our successful protest, the government allocated over $450,000 to complete the long-awaited Roberto Clemente Park Skate Park. This investment was a significant victory for our community, and we are grateful to all who supported us.
In a heartwarming ceremony in August 2022, Chairman Joshua Chan and Founder Ahmad Perez proudly attended the groundbreaking of the Roberto Clemente Park Skate Park, which was attended by many members of the community. The event was an exciting opportunity for everyone to witness the beginning of a new chapter in our community's history.
Following the construction and final touches, the Roberto Clemente Park Skate Park opened to the public in April 2023. The park has already become a popular destination for skateboarders and visitors alike, bringing joy and excitement to our community. We look forward to seeing the park's continued success and the happy memories it will bring to future generations.