Q. What is the vision for the Bike & Skate Park (PATMOS PARK)?

A. Shore Fellowship Church in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, is building a FREE 25,000 square foot youth bike and skate park and recreation area for skateboarders, bikers, and inline skaters. The park will accommodate both beginner and experienced skaters/bikers, and will be a place where teens will receive individualized support and an opportunity for growth.

Q. Why build a bike & skate park in Egg Harbor Township; how will it benefit our community?

A. Egg Harbor Township is one of the fastest growing communities in Atlantic County, with new families moving into the area every day. BMX, Skating, and inline skating have steadily gained popularity with children and young adults over the last 10-15 years.

There are currently no suitable facilities for the young people of EHT to enjoy this type (ramp park & dirt jumps) of recreation in their community. In fact, the nearest park is located two towns away and it does not accommodate BMX bikers.

Therefore, many youth in EHT are forced to participate in these sports in unsuitable and unsafe areas, such as business parking lots and on the streets. The children are also unsupervised, and are vulnerable to drugs and other negative influences.

PATMOS PARK will be located away from road traffic and will be supervised by responsible, screened adult volunteers, providing a safe, drug-free environment. PATMOS PARK has the potential to change lives that could have otherwise been headed down the wrong path due to the negative influences that can be found in some of the other parks or on the street. Instead, these teenagers can grow up to be a positive asset to the community.

Q. What events can I look forward to?

A. We are anticipating having movie nights, contests, camp outs and Christian concerts in the park as well as weekly Bible studies.

Q. Why is it located at a Church? Is this a religious thing?

A. Shore Fellowship Church owns over 32 acres of property located at 1049 Ocean Heights Avenue. The church and its members are dedicated to reaching out to the community, and have generously allocated a portion of unused land for the benefit of families and youth. The entire complex will eventually include two basketball courts, two volleyball courts, a softball field and the Bike & Skate park.

Q. And the most important question, when is it going in?

A. We are wrapping up permits and expect to begin pouring concrete in October of 2006. Yes, next month! Please call if you can help, either with the building of the park or to donate materials (or both). This is a great opportunity for the whole family (yes, kids too!) to get involved in our community and invest in the futures
of our youth.