Yesterday around noon a few BMXers and skaters gathered for the meeting/demo with SPAUSA (Skatepark Association of USA) and SABR (Skatepark Association of Baton Rouge) at the Catfish Banks. The main objective of the meeting was to inform the riders/skaters of the efforts being made by both groups to get a concrete public park in Baton Rouge. The two speakers at the meeting were Gary Patereau of SABR and Heidi Lemmon of SPAUSA (pictured below).



Heidi was extremely helpful with explaining the problems that she has had in other cities with certain skatepark builders (Dreamland, Team Payne, etc.) who have initially claimed to allow bikes, but once the park is completed have backed out of their "bike friendly" claims. She said that she would work with us to make sure what happened in Hammond would not happen in Baton Rouge.


Heidi and Gary with the demo team.

After some skating at the Catfish Banks Heidi took the demo team to the Iowa St. Ramps to skate. The ramps were pretty wet but people were still skating them (I couldn't even walk down them without slipping). Everyone was really psyched and surprised to see the backyard. It was pretty interesting to see a deck full of skateboards instead of bikes.

(I'll give an Icon sticker pack to whoever comes up with the best caption for this photo. Leave your entries in the "Comments" section under this post)

Ms. Lemmon was really excited about the BMX scene in Baton Rouge and is willing to lend all of her resources to help keep the Iowa St. ramps up and running. Hopefully we'll be seeing some improvements to the ramps sometime in the future. If you would like to be kept up to speed on the skatepark situation in Baton Rouge you can email Gary at gary@lasie.org and ask to be put on the SABR mailing list. Also, if you have some free time check out www.spausa.org to check up on the work that Heidi and her team have been doing.
(All photos by Brad Jensen)