Tony Hawk Foundation - Corporate Sponsors

Kids Are At The Heart Of Every Skatepark Project

Greencastle, Indiana - Awarded $25,000
     Greencastle is a small, rural town with few activities for youth outside of school and organized, competitive sports. So, when a group of kids approached their parents expressing interest in a skatepark, they responded by helping to establish a skatepark committee with other interested community members. Together they approached the city council. After winning the support of city officials and the rest of the community, the skatepark committee set out to raise money for a quality concrete skatepark, determined not to cut any corners.
     After raising $118,000 in cash and in-kind donations, they applied for a grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation. Impressed with the ambitious scale of the project and the clear commitment to doing it right, the Board of Directors awarded the skaters of Greencastle $25,000 for the construction of their park. A little less than two years later, Greencastle opened its 14,000-square-foot concrete skatepark to a very excited group of skaters and supporters.
     Greencastle's Putnam County Skatepark was the result of a community effort, but local leaders are especially proud of the kids and their willingness to work hard for the park they wanted. "The youth involved in this project are deeply committed not only to their sport, but also to doing everything they can to have 'their' park built," committee member Jan Firebaugh noted. "They have enthusiastically embraced every task set before them, whether it is the fun work of helping to design the park, or the hard work of raising money to build it. The dedication, camaraderie, and patience they have displayed are wonderful to observe, a pleasure to recognize, and a delightful prediction for the future use of their park."

Norfolk, Nebraska - Awarded $25,000
     Local skateboarders lobbied the City Council for four months to get approval for their skatepark, and the City agreed to provide a matching grant of $20,000. Based on that promise, skaters spent two years holding fundraisers (skate-a-thons, a battle of the bands, et cetera), and soliciting donations from local businesses to meet that match. When they finally raised enough money to approach the City Council with the design specs, they were shut down because of statewide insurance issues. Rather than give up the fight, this determined group took the issue all the way to the state capitol. They persuaded a state Senator to sponsor a bill to amend the Nebraska Recreational Liability Act. Some of the kids even testified before the State Senate's Judiciary Committee. The committee, however, voted to "indefinitely postpone" the bill. But still the kids continued their campaign.
     At the time of applying for a THF grant, the skatepark committee had raised $47,000 and was working with a reputable ramp manufacturer. Impressed, the THF Board of Directors awarded its largest grant, $25,000. In the end, they raised a total of $110,000, and the 12,000-square-foot park opened in June 2003. Thanks to the skaters' dignified persistence, City officials and other adults developed newfound respect for the youth of their community, and the skaters learned a lifelong lesson in political perseverance.

Springfield, Oregon - Awarded $25,000
     Springfield is a low-income community with 40 percent of its children raised by single mothers. In 1998, the town suffered the tragedy of a nationally publicized high-school shooting. Acknowledging a lack of positive activities for local teens, City officials set out to create more recreational opportunities. In a citywide survey, kids identified a skatepark as one of their top two choices, and the adults and kids went to work.
     More than 250 people attended three design meetings. Skaters held skate jams, car washes, T-shirt sales, fingerboard sales, and manned booths at local events to raise money for the park. From the beginning, the umbrella fundraising group, Friends of Willamalane Parks & Recreation, went about the process right: involving kids in all aspects of the project, hiring a reputable designer, and writing a restrictive Request For Proposals (RFP) before putting the construction contract out to bid. They waited until they had raised $250,000 through grants and other fundraising efforts before applying for a THF grant.
     It was an ideal project, and the Board of Directors was pleased to provide a $25,000 grant. After over three years of hard work, the 11,500-square-foot, all-concrete Willamalane Skatepark opened on April 30, 2003. Tony Hawk was able to attend the grand opening, where he and some fellow pros performed for a crowd of 3,000 teens and adults. Local officials couldn't recall the last time someone of his notoriety came to Springfield, bringing so much of the community together. "It's like the president when he came down for the Thurston shooting," a 12-year-old skater told the local newspaper. "Except not in that way."

Needles, California - Awarded $25,000
     This project was spearheaded by eighth graders who lobbied the City after spending a year investigating design, safety issues, insurance and liability problems, and fund-raising possibilities. The determination of these youngsters got the City's attention, and for the first time in a long while the needs of the local kids became the focus.
     At the time of applying for a grant, they had held numerous fundraisers (including a dinner for local Hell's Angels), approached local organizations, and successfully raised $90,000. The ambitiousness and determination of the young skaters, as well as the immense community involvement was impressive, and the THF Board of Directors gladly awarded them a $25,000 grant.
     In all, they spent three years raising money, and when they still came up short of their $200,000 goal, the City stepped up again, donating more money to the project so that the original design would not have to be scaled back. On January 3, 2004, Needles opened its 12,000-square-foot concrete park designed by Wally Hollyday. "The kids in Needles really needed a skatepark," committee leader Rebecca Valentine commented. "We worked hard to get it and they [the kids] learned to never give up on what you want."
     The skatepark has been heavily used, and even the local Sheriff is pleased with how well things are going now that it's open. Possibly even greater than the skatepark is the new Youth Advisory Board that has been established from this process. The kids now have a permanent voice in the community, and the skatepark is just the first of many good things to come.

Quincy, California - Awarded $15,000
     Quincy, a small community of 5,000, began its skatepark project back in 1999. Local skaters and the Park District spent one and a half years lobbying for the land and approval to build a skatepark. They initially applied for a THF grant at the end of 2001, and received $1,000 to help get the project off the ground.
     This determined group kept fundraising, applying for grants, working on clay models to design the skatepark, and boosting community awareness to change the local perception of skaters. At the same time, the County Board banned skating on private property and in the downtown area. This change and the diligence of the skatepark committee ultimately caused the community to step up to the plate and get behind the project. The Park District and the Quincy Rotary Club made sizeable donations, the skaters won another large grant, and fundraisers began to pay off.
     At the time they applied for a second grant, they had raised $235,000 and were seeking the remaining $15,000 needed. THF rewarded their efforts, and in October 2003-after four years of hard work-they completed their 11,000-square-foot concrete park. Many of the kids involved with the project are now in college, and while they are not in Quincy to enjoy the finished skatepark, they have taken a lot from the process. "They know not to be afraid to go to public meetings," says Park District Administrator Jim Boland, "and that when you're organized and come out in force to present your argument, City officials will listen."
     In all, the long process has helped to change the negative perceptions of local skaters. Civic leaders see them in a new light, skaters have learned how to be heard, and the community as a whole is benefiting from the skatepark.

Menomonie, Wisconsin - Awarded $14,000
     At $31,103, Menomonie has the third-lowest median income in Wisconsin and is responsible for providing recreational services to the entire county (population 30,000). But that didn't stop local skaters from approaching the City in 1999 to request a skatepark. After ongoing lobbying efforts, Menomonie officials gave their approval in 2000 with the stipulation that they would only provide $40,000 toward the project, and that the skaters would have to raise the remaining $64,000 before the City would commit its funds.
     Skaters, community members, and individuals from the Parks and Recreation Department formed committees and began the process of raising community support and funding for the skatepark. They spent two years holding car washes, bake sales, and other grassroots events. By 2003 they had raised $50,000 on their own, and with the City's donation were only $14,000 away from their $104,000 goal.
     The group applied for a Tony Hawk Foundation grant for the remaining funds. Impressed by their work, the Board of Directors voted to award their request. After more than four years of planning and fundraising, the park was finally under construction.
     Menomonie Skatepark, a 10,000-square-foot concrete park, opened in May of 2004. The skaters were involved in the entire process, and concerns about injuries or behavioral problems at the park proved to be non-issues. "The kids worked hard for the park and have upheld their responsibility of keeping it a positive place," says Menomonie Parks Director Gary Barnett. "It has been a great asset to the community."

Block Island, Rhode Island - Awarded $10,000
     With a year-round population of only 800, and over one-fourth of the small island dedicated as a wildlife reserve, recreation facilities on Block Island are very limited. In 1999, after being banned from skateboarding around town, skaters Ian Kortbek and Edward Stover wrote a letter to the town requesting a skatepark. They proceeded to lobby for the park and generated strong community support. With backing from the local Lion's Club, the grassroots project gained momentum and numerous fundraisers were held.
     In 2001, a traffic accident took Ian's life. Determined to complete the skatepark in his memory, the community rallied on. In 2003, after four years of fundraising and working toward Ian's dream, they requested bids on the concrete pad, and to their dismay material costs had almost doubled since they began their efforts. Determined to stick with the original design, they decided to continue fundraising until the additional cost was covered.
     After an extraordinary display of perseverance and hard work they were only $10,000 away from realizing their new goal when they applied for a Tony Hawk Foundation grant. The Board of Directors awarded them the well-deserved funds, and the Ian Kortbek Memorial Skate Park opened later that year. "Time after time we had thought that the project would never be completed," writes Edward Stover, now away at college. "The town kept telling us of new ordinances that needed to be followed, and new building materials that would need to be paid for. It seemed that we would never be able to raise enough money, but with countless fundraisers, letters upon letters to local contributors, pleading at meeting after meeting, and your greatly appreciated contribution, we finally reached our goal."
     The years of hard work paid off with a sense of accomplishment and a skatepark that benefits the entire community. "The reception by the community for the skatepark has been overwhelmingly favorable," says skatepark-committee leader Ray Torrey. "The park is very busy-even when the weather turns cold. The skaters have learned that persistence pays off-where there is a will there is a way. We [town officials/adult community members] are impressed with how attractive and trouble-free it has turned out to be, and how much it has added to our community!"

Waldport, Oregon - Awarded $10,000
     The Oregon Economic and Community Development Department classifies Waldport as "rural and distressed." The community is primarily made up of retirees, and conflict between the young and old was not uncommon. In 2000, young skater Jay Beckstead and his father Scott formed a skatepark committee and went before the City to request a skatepark. The City Council members, with no young children of their own, were hesitant, but agreed to the skatepark if the committee raised the money.
     The committee began to seek community support and work hard to raise the needed funds. Still facing a lack of support from the City, Scott decided it was time for a change of focus in Waldport and successfully ran for Mayor.
     The fundraising efforts began to pay off, and with $68,000 in hand, they applied for a Tony Hawk Foundation grant. However, even in his new position, Scott and the skatepark committee still faced challenges from the City Council. After two and a half years and $110,000 raised, the council members still would not give approval to start construction. The committee faced the possibility of losing a grant until, in a widespread show of support, the vast majority of the community showed up at a City Council meeting.
     The kids showed a lot of courage by speaking up at the meeting, and in June of 2003 the 9,700-square-foot skatepark opened. "Prior to the skatepark, no one was doing anything for the kids", says Scott. "But now even the youth center has been revitalized. The skatepark is a symbol to the kids that the City cares about them. The kids have learned that what you say and do does matter, and hard work will pay off. They realize they can make a difference."

Algonac, Michigan - Awarded $10,000
     In November of 2000, skaters and parents appeared before the local Recreation Commission to present their need for a skatepark. City officials were impressed by the large turnout, and the group was encouraged to proceed. They surveyed the community and came back to City Council with pages of supportive comments from local citizens, further convincing them there was strong support for a skatepark.
     A month later, a committee of kids, parents, and officials was formed. They began holding fundraisers and approaching all the local business for donations, raising $10,000 in six months. After netting $17,000 of their $54,000 goal, they applied for a Tony Hawk Foundation grant. "The kids never gave up," says Brad Durasa, the adult who led the skatepark drive.
     The $10,000 THF grant helped to leverage the project further, and within a year (July 2002) they opened the 7,200-square-foot skatepark to hundreds of pleased residents. Any concerns about behavior or injuries in the park have been assuaged. Since the park opened, there have been no problems. "The older kids are kind of overseeing everything that's there, making sure rules are being followed," says Police Sgt. Ed Silver. "They're more or less policing themselves."
     Algonac's skaters have also benefited in other ways from their new park. "The kids have had a positive and realistic experience with the City," Durasa says. "They asked the City for something, worked out the details, and kept their side of the bargain. These kids don't feel like outsiders anymore."
     Because of the skatepark's high usage and the positive impact it has had on the community, Algonac is currently exploring ways to expand the park or possibly open a second one.

Pawnee, Oklahoma - Awarded $10,000
     This skatepark project was initially proposed by the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, and then eventually taken over by a multi-cultural group of eight high school students and eight adults called Leadership Pawnee 2001.
     After five months of leadership training, the group decided to take on the skatepark challenge. Their first step was to lobby the City Council, which offered to support the project, but said it could only afford to spend $5,000. This triggered a series of fundraisers by parents and students alike-dances, bake sales, dinner parties, and other events. Local civic groups and community leaders showed their support through cash and in-kind donations.
     THF received their application and the Board of Directors was impressed by the way a community of only 2,200 people had rallied around the skatepark project as a way to support its children. It's a very low-income area, with little recreation for youth, a high percentage of people living below the poverty level, and plenty of single-parent homes. After receiving a THF grant, they continued to raise funds and were inspired by the generosity from their own community.
     The small skatepark opened in July of 2002. "Impact on the community and the youth in the area would have to be determined by the use of the park," the City noted in a follow-up report to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. "When opened in July of 2002, there wasn't a daylight hour that the park didn't have kids of all ages all over it. For our grand opening, over 90 youths came."
     Families from neighboring communities bring their children to the park, thus creating more business for the local shops. Pawnee has found that the park is enjoyed by all, not just kids, as the grounds around it have become a place to congregate and socialize. "We are blessed," City officials wrote in their report. "Our community has been blessed. And, most of all our youth have been blessed to have a park that promotes the free spirit of American Youth."

Burnsville, North Carolina - Awarded $5,000
     Burnsville is a low-income community with the highest unemployment rate in North Carolina. Forty percent of kids are eligible for Medicaid, one-fourth live below the poverty level, and only 61 percent of students complete high school in four years. After Graham Children's Health Services of Toe River (GCHSTR) developed a playground for younger kids in 2002, older kids approached them asking that they help develop a skatepark as a recreational outlet for them.
     Local skateboarders made several presentations to Burnsville Town Council and the Yancey County Commissioners for support, then formed a skatepark committee and started raising money. They held an art auction, raffle, and other small fundraisers, and did an impressive job of raising public awareness and gaining community support. After two years of hard work and having raised almost $66,000 for the project, GCHSTR applied for a grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation. The Board of Directors awarded them $5,000, and after a couple months of additional fundraising the group opened their $96,000 skatepark in June. "The skaters learned that they can have a voice and affect change in the community," says GCHSTR Executive Director Greta Reath. "They have a sense of ownership in the skatepark and it has been well cared for. One of the most important lasting effects of the skatepark on the community is the feeling that anything is possible, and that even though we're low-wealth and rural, our kids can still enjoy amenities of more affluent areas. The whole process was very empowering for residents, and the skatepark is often discussed as the highlight of 2004."

Esko, Minnesota - Awarded $5,000
     Esko is a small community with twenty percent of its youth living in poverty and 65 percent concerned about the growing influence of drugs in the area. This was the local skaters' third attempt in the past decade to get a skatepark built, the main roadblock being an agreeable location. By the time they applied for a Tony Hawk Foundation grant, the group's lobbying efforts had paid off and the township, school, and community were partnering to make it happen.
     In addition to their years of lobbying for a park, the skaters held numerous fundraisers and were the leaders of the project. The Tony Hawk Foundation Board of Directors awarded their patience and perseverance with a $5,000 grant. The group continued to raise money and a year later Esko Skatepark opened.
     The process required hard work and took a long time, but their efforts have paid off in the form of a new skatepark for their community. "The impact on these youth of building and monitoring their own skatepark is great," says Sara Liimatainen, Director of Community Education for Esko Public Schools. "The skateboarders are showing maturity, responsibility, and more self confidence while they are learning. The whole process of gaining community support, raising funds, and building and maintaining the park will go with them throughout their life." The process also helped to bridge a gap between the township and school board, and all were reminded that working together can accomplish great things.

Reedsport, Oregon - Awarded $5,000
     Reedsport is a small town in a depressed region that has suffered the closing of three lumber mills. Regardless, this is a community that truly rallied around the idea of a public skatepark. The local skaters were involved in all aspects of the project, including fundraisers and working on the "sick" skatepark design.
     At the time they applied for a grant, they had successfully raised $20,000 and had worked with Geth Noble of Airspeed on a solid cost-effective design. The THF Board of Directors awarded Reedsport a $5,000 grant and they continued with their fundraising for another two years. Proudly, they opened their one-of-a-kind concrete skatepark, with a "funnel tunnel," in October 2003.
     In a follow-up report, Anna Lynne Goorhuis commented on their three objectives in building a park: to provide after-school activities that build character and judgment through recreation and mentoring, to provide a safe place for skaters to practice their sport, and to provide a tourist attraction to help Reedsport's ailing economy.
     All of their objectives have been met. Since the park opened there has been an average of 50 to 100 skaters at the park daily, with everyone getting along and helping each other out. Possibly more surprising is the number of adults who enjoy coming to watch the skaters. The police also noticed an immediate decline in complaints about the skaters once they had a designated place to go. And finally, many kids from outlying communities have been visiting the skatepark on a regular basis, helping local businesses. "The skatepark put Reedsport on the map!" says Goorhuis. "The whole town is proud of our accomplishment, and we could not have done it without your donation. You could not have invested more wisely in our community!"

Corning, Iowa - Awarded $5,000
     Corning, a small farming town with a population of 1,500, is located in Adams County where over 20 percent of children live in poverty and the median household income is below $20,000. In 2001, local skaters and their parents lobbied for a skatepark when the City proposed a skateboarding ban.
     The Mayor organized a skatepark committee made up of local skaters and community members, and thus began their efforts. They started a letter campaign, made presentations to civic groups to generate support, and began fundraising and working on the design. The skatepark committee battled the community's negative perception of skaters and struggled to raise money in a poor area. They applied for a Tony Hawk Foundation grant after raising $4,000. The Board of Directors awarded Corning a $5,000 grant, and they continued their efforts. Their diligence paid off, as perceptions changed and they received widespread community support, as well as a $75,000 check from Johnny Carson who, having grown up there, generously contributed after being informed of their efforts.
     In May of 2003, Corning opened its 12,000-square-foot skatepark. Since its opening, it has been very popular and there have been no reported problems. Parents feel comfortable bringing their young kids, and many skaters from surrounding areas travel to use the park. Though trying at times, the process was rewarding for the local skaters and committee leaders. "They've (the skaters) learned patience and that when you want something enough, it is possible," says committee leader Lori Goldsmith. "And we have all learned how the City Council works and what steps need to be taken to make something happen."

Crosby, Minnesota - Awarded $5,000
     Crosby is the "Antique Capital of Minnesota," a place where there's not much for kids to do. The skatepark project began in spring 2000 when a local Christian counselor approached some kids skating (illegally) at a bank and asked if they'd like to help him get a park built. That snowballed into a skatepark committee of 27 kids. They persuaded the City to donate land and cover insurance, and set out to raise some money.
     A dozen or so local skaters visited three nearby parks and drew up plans. They applied for a Tony Hawk Foundation grant when they had raised $38,000 of their proposed $144,000 skatepark. Impressed with their grass-roots efforts, the Board of Directors awarded the skaters of Crosby $5,000. The skatepark committee went on to raise $95,000, and along with generous in-kind donations, had enough to build their park. They were so successful in their fundraising that the City did not even need to donate money.
     The grand opening was held in June 2002 with an amazing turnout. They have had kids and adults from a 60-mile radius using the park, and local businesses are benefiting from the traffic. The kids take pride in the park and police each other. "The park has surpassed all expectations," says Chief of Police John Drennan. "There has been a drastic reduction in the number of reports of vandalism and loitering on the Cuyuna Range, and the kids seem to have a different attitude in our community."
     One of the skatepark's neighbors was openly opposed it, but now he is the park's and the skaters' strongest supporter. "This was one of our goals in our mission statement," says Tom Burgwald with the Cuyuna Range Skatepark Committee. "To change the perception of how adults feel about the youth and, in particular, skateboarders. Another one of our goals was to change the perception of how kids feel about adults. I can't stress enough how I feel about this goal being reached."
     So many people are enjoying the park that they are putting in picnic benches for the spectators and considering expanding the skatepark.

Milton-Freewater, Oregon - Awarded $1,000
     The City of Milton-Freewater is a small community in northeastern Oregon surrounded by orchards and wheat fields. The downtown business district was the only place to skate until skating there was banned in the spring of 2002. In response, the skaters gathered together and lobbied the city for a skatepark. With the help of a city official, they formed a committee and set out to raise money for the park.
     The group applied for a grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation after raising half of the money necessary for their 5,400-square-foot modular park, and was awarded $1,000. Shortly after receiving the THF grant and researching several other parks, they decided it was important to build something that would last longer than the modular park they had envisioned. They contacted a renowned Oregon-based skatepark builder and asked what they could achieve with the funds they had raised. Phase I, a 1,700-square-foot concrete bowl was completed for $34,000. City officials were very impressed with the work and kept raising money for Phase II, a 3,000-square-foot street course.
     It didn't take the City of Milton-Freewater long to see its free public skatepark as an economic asset. "Not all skaters are kids," says Milton-Freewater Grant Writer Mike Watkins. "Build a park that skaters want to skate, and they will come from all over and spend money in your town. Invest in your kids! Go ahead and build a bigger and better park than they ask for and watch them rise to the challenge."

Staunton, Virginia - Awarded $1,000
     Staunton is home to 26,000 residents. It wasn't until the City announced its plan to ban skateboarding that skaters and other community members requested a skatepark. Selling the idea to the City was the most difficult part of the process, but with organization and determination they finally got through to them.
     They applied for a grant during the initial stages of the project, and the Tony Hawk Foundation Board of Directors awarded Staunton $1,000 in seed money. "After receiving your grant the money began to roll in," says Chris Tuttle, Director of Parks and Recreation. "The name recognition helped to bring in another $7,000 almost immediately." The City contributed money from its general fund, and the group raised money through numerous fundraisers.
     After two years, the group built their 10,000-square-foot park. Chris had skaters in line at 5:00 a.m. awaiting the 9:00 a.m. grand opening. "They wanted to be the first in the park," he says.
     Since the park opened there have been no complaints of skaters skating downtown. The park hosted 80 to100 kids daily during the summer. "There were lots of issues to overcome, but now it is a big success," says Tuttle. "Being involved in the political aspects taught the kids about the process involved. It takes a while, but you don't give up. What we have is what they designed."
     Staunton is currently planning on expanding its skatepark.