Montreal relocates the Big 0
I guess It can be done. Sounds crazy, but these cats in Montreal made it happen. Is this a possibility to save some of the Turf if we can’t keep the original site??? We have some amazing resources here in Milwaukee. I’d say it’s worth looking further into even if we can just preserve one of the pools. Check it out on skatedaily.net.
Pearl Jam Benefit Concert Donation
The Pearl Jam concert fan fundraiser in Lake Geneva WI on September 2nd, 2011 with Wishlist Foundation being the sponsor chose Save the Turf
Foundation as one of the seven beneficiaries. They, along with the
efforts of the other volunteers and donors made this event a huge
success! We just got word that they will be sending a check for $1,005 to benefit Save the Turf Foundation! Thanks a ton Pearl Jam, Wishlist Foundation and Fans!
Charity Auction for Save the Turf
Mark Weastherstone from Alberta, Canada was kind enough to donate the proceeds raised from this auction of an old school Ray Bones complete towards the Save The Turf Foundation. Thanks a ton, Mark! Bid hard and bid high people…a sweet classic deck.
Rare 1982 Powell Peralta ‘Ray Bones Rodriguez’ skateboard
Making Greenfield a Better Place
The Greenfield Patch put us down on a very short list of projects that would enhance the overall city and make it a better place. Agreed!
greenfield.patch.com/articles/how-would-you-make-greenfield-better
Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament chooses Save the Turf Foundation as fundraising beneficiary
On Saturday, September 3rd and Sunday, September 4th, legendary rock band Pearl Jam is celebrating its 20th Anniversary by hosting a festival concert series at Alpine Valley, WI.
On Friday, September 2nd, the Wishlist Foundation will be hosting a pre-concert fundraiser event at Hemmingway’s in Lake Geneva, WI in honor of Pearl Jam’s momentous occasion.
The Wishlist Foundation is interested in designating us, the Save the Turf Foundation, on behalf of bassist Jeff Ament, as one of the main beneficiaries for their fundraising event.
Original Turf Blueprints Uncovered
Yes it’s true. It felt like a Goonie’s adventure as we unfolded the original construction blueprints of our precious pools…..along with a few alternate designs. The alternate designs are mind-blowing. Imagine the lipside gully and the footie bowl as one bowl going as deep as 9′….how about the keyhole and the capsule as one monster pool….believe it. Among this score was also Jerry Steurnagel’s original membership card from December 1978, tons of photo slides, some photo prints that used to hang in the pro shop as well as some that have never been seen, a “how to run a skatepark manual”, and some cassette audio tapes describing how to open a skatepark. Amazing, amazing score of goodies all thanks to former Turf legend, Donnie Nelson. We hope to hold a fundraiser/event show where all of this paraphernalia can be seen. Details to come…
Another renegade mission at the Turf site….
A little reminder for all to see as they come up the ramp on Loomis in front of the Turf…..
Wisconsin Historical Society Finds Turf Ineligible for Listing on National Register
Here is a copy of the response we got from the Wisconsin Historical Society regarding obtaining a National Registry. A bummer to say the least. It appears they’re concerned that the building that housed the pools no longer exists. Beyond that, it doesn’t meet the 50 year old requirement. Although none of these points appear significant to us, they are considered valid as far as national registry goes. Nevertheless, we shall push on and reapply 19 years from now. Hopefully by then, we’ll already have been skating the bowls again….
Steven Beaudoin 1968 – 2010
Steve Beaudoin in Thrasher Magazine's article about Turf Skatepark.
Steve reminiscing at the site of The Turf a few days before The Great Dig
Fox 6 Follow-Up Coverage of “The Great Dig”
Original Fox 6 Coverage the night of “The Great Dig”
Thanks to the Fox 6 crew for providing light so the digging could continue after dark.
From the Mayor’s office
Greenfield Mayor Michael Neitzke has been sending out this form letter as a response to all the emails he’s been getting since the movement started. I’m sure some of you are curious as to what it says. Someone posted it on the facebook page, and here are the important parts:
“Thank you for your email—I have received dozens from around the state, country, and world. I’m a lifelong resident (save college and some time away) of Greenfield, and am aware of history of the storied site. Honestly, however, I never knew (until yesterday) the whole story. I keep learning things literally by the minute. I agree that it makes sense to explore every option to see what we can do. I will be working with… the Wisconsin DOT, and other folks with interest locally to look at all options either on site, or off, to preserve, to recreate, and/or to recognize the important heritage of The Turf.
Because of the shear volume of emails, I will be unable to communicate with everyone… until a more formal structure exists. Again, thank you for the email.
- Mike”
Form Letter from the DOT office
You may have recieved a similar form letter response from the DOT. One of our supporters sent an articulate plea to the DOT and received this response:
“Ms. Gordon,
Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding the Turf Skatepark in Greenfield, Wisconsin.
While the department understands that the park holds special significance to the skateboarding community, safety is the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s (WisDOT’s) top priority.
The land the former skatepark was located upon was purchased to accommodate a new westbound I 894 off-ramp to northbound Loomis Road. It will be used as a staging area during the important Mitchell Interchange core reconstruction contract, slated to begin this fall. Following the construction project’s completion, WisDOT will turn the excess land over to the city of Greenfield, per a memorandum of understanding. The final disposition of the parcel will be decided by the city at that time.
In the meantime, WisDOT contractors, with consent of the city of Greenfield, have backfilled the property to make it a safe and useable space for the construction project and its workers.
WisDOT appreciates hearing your input.
Sincerely,
Emlynn Grisar”
If you would like to email Ms. Grisar as well, here is her email address:
Emlynn.Grisar@dot.wi.gov
Video: FOX 6 “Ted’s Take” on Protecting Our Turf
Greenfield Council to Meet in Eminent Domain Case.
Greenfield business owners and residents located near the site of The Turf Skatepark have spoken out against the city’s plan to take land for public use. Even the Mayor seems to think it’s a bad idea. Watch the video here.
Eminent Domain Update
Facing a public outcry, the Greenfield Common Council tonight quickly halted its plans to redevelop the Interstate 894/Loomis Road area, and, in the process, quashed all talk of eminent domain. This effects the land where The Turf Skatepark is buried.
Read More Here.
Skateboarding has left an indelible mark on American culture.
The Horizons West surf shop in Santa Monica, formerly the Zephyr shop, recently closed. But, the building had been declared a landmark in 2007, which stopped a developer from razing it and building apartments in its place. Read the full story here.
Video: “FOX 6 Tony Hawk Speaks About The Turf Skate Park”
Read the full article here.
Eminent Domain Update
One of our supporters submitted a link to a new article regarding the eminent domain debate regarding the land surrounding the remains of The Turf skatepark.
Apparently, the redevelopment plan has been dropped. The Common Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to rescind the Greenfield Crossings redevelopment plan, which proposed a mixed-use project on a 47-acre area near W. Loomis Road and I-894.
You can read the full article here.