Skateboard Parks and the Power of Relationship

Eight years ago, Ulrike Reinhard flew to India for on a business trip. Instead of flying back home, however, she "got stuck" and decided to make India her home. In this interview, Ulrike describes how she was driven to build a skateboard park in the middle of a poverty-ridden village in Madhya Pradesh. Many projects are built with fences and "Do Not Enter" signs surrounding it; in contrast, this skateboard park welcomes anyone who wishes to enjoy it. This surreal space has attracted media attention and many visitors to the village, helping to spur economic growth and giving children of the area something that empowers them. Ulrike describes her inspiration for the project, her other fascinating experiments in community building, and the power of relationships to make change.

http://www.dailygood.org/story/1877/skateboard-parks-and-the-power-of-relationship-awakin-call-editors/