It's SPRING and time to ride again! ﾠ

After a long, cold winter, Spring is finally here and the park is open! ﾠWe are open Monday through Friday from 3:30-7pm and on weekends from 12-7pm. ﾠPlease give me a call or text at 315 297-2079 before you head out if the weather looks iffy.

Even in winter, Freedom was busy getting ready for the 2010 season. ﾠWe recently received a $1000 grant from Stewart's Shops. ﾠMake sure to support your local Stewarts Shops. ﾠStewarts has been a supporter of the park from day one. ﾠNot only do they provide cash donations, Stewarts also provides plenty of ice cream for the park events. ﾠ

We also have partnered with Albe's BMX Mail order in 2010. ﾠMany thanks to the Albe's guys for sending out free loaner helmets for you to use at the park. ﾠIf you need parts, frames or anything BMX related, please give Flip a call and tell him you ride at Freedom. ﾠWe support companies who support Freedom. ﾠFreedom now has a limited parts store but can order you anything you need. ﾠAsk me what you are looking for and we'll make it happen. ﾠIf you looking to place an online order, please enter "freedom" in the coupon code for a special discount for friends of Freedom.

McGoo from SNAFU also sent up plenty of bike parts this winter. ﾠIt's much appreciated when companies help out free parks and local riders. ﾠThanks to both Albe's and SNAFU!

In addition to scoring grant money and BMX hook ups, Freedom has also been busy working with Bart de Jong and fatbmx.com as a contributor to the site. ﾠWe covered the Toronto BMX Jam for the site and have posted quite a few Fat Favorites profile pieces and several articles. ﾠCheck them out if you get a chance.

How to get a park in YOUR town

Andy Buckworth Interview

Drew Bezanson Interview

Kathy McGrath/Levi's BMX Team Interview

Corporate Sponsorship in BMX with Mark "Flip" Filipowicz

Toronto Jam Prelims

Toronto Jam Finals

Trish Bare Grounds Interview

In other big news, Freedom Skate/BMX Park is pleased to sponsor Coty Brown, Jake Hamlin and Vince Smith as team riders. ﾠLook for good stuff from these three talented guys. ﾠCongrats to them all.

Freedom is on FACEBOOK and Twitter...add Freedom Skate BMX Park on Facebook or go to www.facebook.com/freedompark to get pictures, updates and more.ﾠ Add us on Twitter too www.twitter.com/goddessofwheels or Myspace www.myspace.com/upson46.ﾠ

Message from Susan:

Freedom Skate/BMX is CNY's only TOTALLY FREE RIDE! What's the catch you ask? Nothing...at Freedom we take the whole free thing pretty darn seriously! Freedom Skate/BMX Park is a first come first serve park. ﾠ

ﾠWhile skateboarding/BMX biking is no more dangerous than other sports, let's not put the good folks at McFee Ambulance Corps to the test right from day one. Helmets are required to ride the park.ﾠ A few helmets are available for loan but they are first come first serve.

You must have a signed copy of the rules (and obey them!) and liability release form on file prior to your first ride. Download these forms on the "contact" section of the website. It is also strongly advised you complete a medical authorization form prior to the first ride.

Just a couple more important things...First, we are not FREE babysitting.ﾠ All children under the age of 11 MUST be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.ﾠ Second, we close at 6pm.ﾠ If riders are still in the park, the staff MAY stay until 7pm.ﾠ If you are wondering about the hours, please call Susan at 315 297-2079.ﾠ Be courteous and make sure you are OFF park property when we close.ﾠ Please don't make the park monitors chase you out.ﾠ Be smart.ﾠ If you are getting a ride, make sure they are at the park at least 5 minutes before we close.ﾠ If your ride shows up late, you'll be asked to leave the park early the next time.ﾠ If that doesn't work I'll be coming down myself to get you out and believe me, that is going to be not fun..ﾠ I'll be pretty crabby indeed if I get a call like that.ﾠ Don't do it.ﾠ Please don't make me pay my employees to stay when that only means less money I will have to pay them for keeping the park open.

Helmets are required AT ALL TIMES (and they must be fastened in case anyone tries to be a wiseguy).ﾠ There will be a couple of "loaner" helmets available but don't expect one is going to be available if you show up without your lid.

ﾠ Please be assured that there of plenty of people within the community who are waiting for a problem to arise to get the park shut down.ﾠ Don't let it happen.ﾠ Be proactive and be smart.ﾠ I know you all can do it.

If you have questions, please call the Village Office at 315 963-7564 during office hours (8am-4pm) or call me on my cell phone.ﾠ That number is 315 297-2079 should you need to reach me.ﾠ Remember, I've got a real job that pays the bills so if I don't answer please leave a message.ﾠ I'll get back to you as soon as I can.ﾠ

Susan