Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
Blogs:
Pets:
Summit teams up with Rescue Waggin' to save dogs
The Heldenfiles:
Songs for an American Day
Patrick McManamon:
Touching on the Browns, Cavs
Akron Zips:
Opponent outlook: Northern Illinois
Browns Bulletin:
Single-game ticket sales begin July 11
Tribe Matters:
Wedge assured of job through season
Cleveland Browns:
Stallworth test showed marijuana
Kent State Sports:
Men's Basketball Scheduling update
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Updated: Free Agency: Another Gone - Apparently
All Da King's Men:
The Obligatory Palin Post
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Wow….Sarah Palin Resigns Governorship
Akron Law Café:
Abraham Lincoln and the Fourth of July
Varsity Letters:
Highland senior receives honor
See Jane Style:
Picnic Wear
Car Chase:
Where do We Go from Here?
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Happy 4th of July!
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Sound Check:
Rundgren fans rejoice!: Second night of AWATS at The Civic added
HRLite House:
Morscruethal Behaviors or Just Lip Service?
Akron Gamer:
Hot link: Best of Nintendo at E3
Recycled latex paint to replace spray paint in organized 'edgy, urban designs'
By Connie Bloom
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008
The Akron Skate Park is in for a face-lift.
The 7-year-old mecca for skaters and BMX bikers will get a touch of color and a respite from graffiti during a beautification blitz next weekend.
In keeping with the tastes of its youthful users, graffiti artists have been invited to cover the park near the Rubber Bowl with ''edgy, urban designs,'' according to Suzie Graham, coordinator of arts and children's programs for the City of Akron.
In a switch from spray paint, which is too slippery for skate boarding, artists will be wielding more traditional tools brushes and flat latex paint, much of it recycled from the Portage County Solid Waste Management District.
Painting sessions will begin at 9 a.m. next Saturday and Sunday.
Skaters, bikers and other users are being invited to dabble and doodle under the supervision of four city-sanctioned artists. The idea is to embrace the skate culture with art reflective of its users, said Graham.
The 19,000-square-foot sea of concrete had fallen prey to vandals and was trapped in ''an endless cycle of degradation'' over the years, she said.
''The skate community is really enthusiastic about supporting local efforts to change the often-negative perception of the sport,'' said John M. Moore of the Akron Recreation Bureau, which helped secure supplies for the transformation.
''There is a sincere interest in promoting the positive image of skateboarding,'' he said.
The park is located just off George Washington Boulevard.
Connie Bloom can be reached at 330-996-3568 or cbloom@thebeaconjournal.com.
The Akron Skate Park is in for a face-lift.
Get the full article here.

