Campaign Will Raise 500K to Expand/Enhance Reid Menzer Memorial Skatepark
Published on September 4, 2013 under Atlantic League (AtL)
York Revolution News Release
YORK, Pa. - The Reid Menzer Memorial Skatepark committee will announce a capital campaign to raise $500,000 to expand the skatepark, light the skatepark to expand park hours, improve skater amenities, and provide a permanent maintenance endowment. The public campaign will kick off on September 6 with an official announcement by Campaign Chairman Bill Shipley at 7:00 p.m. at The Parliament, an artists' collective in York, featuring an exhibit and auction of painted skateboards by more than 50 local artists. Through lead gifts, the campaign has already raised $260,000.
The skatepark opened in September of 2008 as a memorial to 14-year-old Reid Menzer, who was killed when he was struck by a car while riding his street luge. He was a skater who spoke often about York needing a skatepark where both beginners and experienced skaters could safely learn and enjoy their passion. The park sits on land donated by the City of York in Veterans Memorial Park and was built entirely with donations. Since its opening, it has won accolades as one of the finest parks in the region and has been enjoyed by tens of thousands of users.
"The Reid Menzer Memorial Skatepark has proven to be a unique and significant recreational facility in York," said Bill Shipley, campaign chair. "The park gives skateboarders a place to skate away from busy, streets, and it is constantly being used. It's important for the safety of the skaters in our community that we finish what we started by completing this campaign and providing these final, needed amenities."
The expansion project will add additional elements to the park fashioned from salvaged industrial objects that typify York's industrial heritage. It will add 7,125 square feet to the existing park, enlarging it by 35 percent. The lighting will extend the hours that the park can be enjoyed by users, particularly by students in the spring and fall months. Additional enhancements will include shade and an edge treatment to stabilize areas damaged by erosion and overuse. Finally, the maintenance endowment will ensure that resources are available to keep the park in outstanding condition for many years.
Jon Gordon, owner of Exist Skate Shop and a member of the Skatepark Committee, said the park means a great deal to him and to every single other skateboarder who uses it. "I feel extremely lucky to have such an awesome place to ride my skateboard," said Gordon. "Growing up without a local skatepark like this makes you appreciate it that much more. The expansion to the park will complete the original vision and will allow me and others to express ourselves through skating."
Brenda Welty, a mother of a frequent park user and chair of the annual anniversary celebrations at the park since its opening said, "As a mom, I know the heart of the skateboarder and how much hard work, dedication, and pure love that goes into what they do. We've traveled all over the country with our son since he was about 11-years-old. We've met a lot of skateboarders and have seen a lot of skateparks. What we have, right here in York, rivals the top skateparks found in places like California and Arizona. This is why being good caretakers of the park is so important - to keep it in good working condition for future generations."
To learn more about the Reid Menzer Memorial Skatepark and the capital campaign visit www.reidmenzermemorialskatepark.org.
Campaign Kickoff event details:
The Parliament
116 East King Street in York
6:00 - 9:30 p.m.
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