Documentary Thursday: Concrete Dreams

Become a part of our Documentary Thursday Community! Meeting every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, we watch and discuss films with meaningful and relevant topics to our lives and the world around us.

• 6:30pm: Doors Open
• 6:45pm: Film Begins
• After Film: Community Discussion

This week we feature Concrete Dreams - A Skateboarding Documentary.

YouTube Synopsis:

Paulina Jimenez, Villa Park IL resident, artist and super-mom, becomes this Chicago suburbs most passionate yet unassuming skateboarding advocate. With zero experience in municipal activism, she arms herself with the Tony Hawk Public Skatepark Development Guide and fervently rallies local skateboarders, businesses, and residents to support fundraising efforts for a new community skatepark. Episode 1 of Concrete Dreams profiles Paulina as she enthusiastically navigates the often bumpy road of Village Board meetings, funding sources, and deadlines, all in an effort to create a safe space for her son and the community to skate.

Billy and Catherine, the husband and wife owners of Evergreen Skateparks, pride themselves on being skaters who build parks for the true love of skateboarding and with the passion to do it right. Coming in at the lowest bid, Evergreen is awarded the Villa Park skatepark contract, but not without some major resistance from local unions. With fall quickly turning into winter and grant completion deadlines approaching, the Evergreen crew works swiftly and efficiently despite the challenges. Episode 2 of Concrete Dreams breaks ground on the new skatepark and follows the concrete artisans as the contours and curves begin to take shape.

Five years after the grand opening of the Villa Park skatepark, the key contributors to the project reflect on how the new park has improved the community. While the original organizers have grown up or moved on to different ventures, a new generation of park users have an equal appreciation for the safe, free and beautiful concrete sculpture that’s now a Village staple. Episode 3 is an homage to Paulina, Evergreen, and the community as we witness the results of endless hours of hard work, dedication and perseverance. Thank you!

"This series was produced with funding from the Chicago Digital Media Production Fund, a project of The Vocal Fund administered by Chicago Filmmakers."

Director: Nick NummerdorProduced by Little Cabin FilmsStarring:Paulina JimenezBilly CoulonCatherine CoulonStevie “Dread” Snyder

Support your local Skatepark.For more information visit - publicskateparkguide.org

Support your local Skate Shop. Visit Motiv8 Skateshop in Villa Park IL.