TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Input Of Kids Helps Build Land O' Lakes Skate Park

Tribune photo by FRED BELLET

Making his way up the big ramp, Ryan O'Rourke's skateboard gets away from him as it flies out from under his feet. The 10-year old Land O' Lakes boy was among the many kids who came out to try the new skate park at the Land O' Lakes Recreation Complex.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 29, 2009

LAND O' LAKES - A long-discussed skateboard park at the Land O' Lakes Recreation Complex on Collier Parkway has opened.

The park, which can accommodate up to 15 skaters at a time, was designed with input from kids who know the difference among a grind rail, grind box and jump box, all of which are part of the $91,000 facility.

"We had a couple community meetings and got kids to come and sit down so we could ask them what they wanted," said Brian Taylor, Pasco County's Parks and Recreation manager.

"When you go out there you'll see some of their stuff." Taylor said.

There will be no cost to use the park. Skaters younger than 18 must have a waiver signed by their parents, and helmets are required.

Geoff Fox

Researchers To Share Their Insights At USF

TAMPA - Ever wondered about the ancient Roman diet, fencing in 17th-century England or gender and the Florida Judiciary? If so, the University of South Florida's next generation of scholars has some insights to share with you.

On Friday, USF will present its seventh annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. Open to the public, it will feature the work of more than 100 emerging researchers.

"It's everything from Alzheimer's research to the effects of drugs on adolescent brains to the effect of early voting in the presidential election," said Naomi Yavneh, director of the Office of Undergraduate Research and the associate dean of USF's Honors College.

Unlike more staid research symposiums, this one will feature modern dance and short film interpretations of students' research findings, in addition to oral and poster presentations.

Antoinette Jackson, a USF assistant professor who is documenting the cultural heritage of Tampa, will deliver the symposium's keynote address.

The event is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Marshall Center on USF's Tampa campus.

Lindsay Peterson

Student Comedy Goes With Flow

EAST TAMPA - The drama team at Tampa Bay Technical High will perform "Urinetown" this week at the school.

The musical comedy is being directed and choreographed by English teacher and theater director Amanda Depin.

Depin said the storyline, meant to poke fun at capitalism and corporate mismanagement, has many similarities to today's world.

Tickets are $7 for students and faculty and $8 for adults. They may be purchased at the door prior to the 7:30 p.m. performances Wednesday through Friday.

For information, call Depin at (813) 810-0382.

The school is at 6410 Orient Road.

Joyce McKenzie

Northdale Festival Features Parade, Children's Activities

NORTHDALE - Families can look forward to food, games and other entertainment April 18 at the Northdale Family Fun Fest.

The event kicks off at 10:45 a.m. with a parade featuring the Gaither High School band marching down Mapledale Drive to Northdale Park. The festival, which has won county awards in the past, will have activities for children that include face painting, and the health department's mobile bus will offer free pediatric checkups.

The festival runs until 3 p.m. at the park, 15550 Spring Pine Drive.

Michele Sager

Bookstore Considered For New Library

SEMINOLE HEIGHTS - A replacement library planned for this north-of-downtown Tampa community is slated to include, among other amenities, a bookstore.

Bookstores not only can be a convenience for library patrons, they help raise money for library programs and purchases.

To qualify for a bookstore, Hillsborough County library officials say, the Seminole Heights library, 4711 N. Central Ave., must have a Friends of the Library group. The Southeast Seminole Heights Civic Association is spearheading an effort to form a Friends group within the next few months.

Library officials want to replace the existing 6,000-square-foot library with a two-story building and parking deck. Negotiations are under way with Hillsborough school officials for use of a parking lot adjacent to the library. School officials have said they don't want to sell the parking lot but would consider sharing it.

A construction date has not been determined.

Kathy Steele

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT