For those of you who missed it, last week the Ann Arbor News published a glowing editorial on our efforts to get a free, public, concrete skatepark built in Ann Arbor. You can read the editorial on Mlive here.

Big thanks to the Ann Arbor News for their interest in, and support of this community project!

The Ann Arbor Skatepark Action Committee is starting its big-time fundraising with the formation of two funds at The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. One of the funds will support the design and construction of the skatepark, the other is an endowment to help the City pay for maintenance, improvements and upgrades. Ten percent of each gift to the Ann Arbor Skatepark goes to the endowment fund.

Monday evening, after an hour and a half of other pressing city issues, the Ann Arbor City Council unanimously approved the Memo of Intent, a document laying out how the City and AASAC will work together to make the skatepark project happen. The Ann Arbor Chronicle was there to report on the council meeting, and reported the following:

Monday night the Ann Arbor City Council will be voting on a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) between the City and the Ann Arbor Skatepark Action Committee (AASAC). The MOI lays out the responsibilities of the parties involved, and officially gives the green light for the project to start. It also officially names the location for the skatepark (Veteran's Memorial Park).

Last Thursday, we held our first annual holiday party, and it was a great success. We had over 40 people come out and enjoy the piano playing of Brian DiBlassio, and food and beverages from Arbor Brewing Company. The best part of the night, though, was simply hanging out and talking to other people from our community who support the idea of a free, public skatepark in Ann Arbor.

The Ann Arbor Skatepark Action Committee has been working with the City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Services Unit over the past few months to finalize the agreement between the City and the skatepark group. This agreement will be brought before the Park Advisory Commission (PAC) this Tuesday, November 18. After its passage at PAC, the agreement will move to the City Council on December 1 for final approval. Once the agreement is approved by City Council, the big push starts to fund, design and build the best skatepark in the midwest, and maybe the country.

Thanks to all of the skaters and supporters who came out to our skate jams this summer! These events really showed the need for a permanent skate facility in Ann Arbor. Special thanks to Sun & Snow Sports and Launch Board Shop for offering up financial support to help us hold these special events.

This Sunday the Ann Arbor Skatepark Action Committee's Street Team will be meeting at 1:00 PM. We'll have pizza and pop, as well as a FREE drawing for a deck from Launch. Meet us at Launch Board Shop, 1202 S. University in Ann Arbor.

Today's Ann Arbor News features a full page of photos from the August Skate Jam! Thanks go to News photographer Leisa Thompson, who took terrific shots of the nearly 90 skaters who turned out for the event.

Make sure to join us for our next Jam on September 20 at Westgate, co-sponsored by Sun & Snow and Launch Board Shop. Guest pros Bill Danforth and Garold Vallie will be there, helping us make this the biggest and best Jam of the season. See you there!