Save The Turf

It’s been a small struggle getting going… but all our hard work has finally paid off. We just launched the OFFICIAL Save the Turf web store!

We currently have a quality reproduction of the original Surfin’ Turf tee shirt circa 1979, designed by skatepark co-owner Ray Steuernagel – in all it’s two-color glory. All proceeds will go directly to the Save the Turf fund. We also plan on doing periodic updates on how much we raise, in an effort to be completely transparent.

Thanks everyone, for your patience, and let’s Unearth the Turf – together!

One of our supporters submitted a link to a new article regarding the eminent domain debate regarding the land surrounding the remains of The Turf skatepark.

Apparently, the redevelopment plan has been dropped. The Common Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to rescind the Greenfield Crossings redevelopment plan, which proposed a mixed-use project on a 47-acre area near W. Loomis Road and I-894.

You can read the full article here.

Read the full article here.

The Horizons West surf shop in Santa Monica, formerly the Zephyr shop, recently closed. But, the building had been declared a landmark in 2007, which stopped a developer from razing it and building apartments in its place. Read the full story here.

Facing a public outcry, the Greenfield Common Council tonight quickly halted its plans to redevelop the Interstate 894/Loomis Road area, and, in the process, quashed all talk of eminent domain. This effects the land where The Turf Skatepark is buried.

Read More Here.

Greenfield business owners and residents located near the site of The Turf Skatepark have spoken out against the city’s plan to take land for public use. Even the Mayor seems to think it’s a bad idea. Watch the video here.

You may have recieved a similar form letter response from the DOT. One of our supporters sent an articulate plea to the DOT and received this response:

“Ms. Gordon,

Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding the Turf Skatepark in Greenfield, Wisconsin.

While the department understands that the park holds special significance to the skateboarding community, safety is the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s (WisDOT’s) top priority.

The land the former skatepark was located upon was purchased to accommodate a new westbound I 894 off-ramp to northbound Loomis Road. It will be used as a staging area during the important Mitchell Interchange core reconstruction contract, slated to begin this fall. Following the construction project’s completion, WisDOT will turn the excess land over to the city of Greenfield, per a memorandum of understanding. The final disposition of the parcel will be decided by the city at that time.

In the meantime, WisDOT contractors, with consent of the city of Greenfield, have backfilled the property to make it a safe and useable space for the construction project and its workers.

WisDOT appreciates hearing your input.

Sincerely,

Emlynn Grisar”

If you would like to email Ms. Grisar as well, here is her email address:
Emlynn.Grisar@dot.wi.gov