Other fundraising & milestones Inspired by the success of Revitalizing Waterbury’s Stowe Street alley project in memory of Jack Carter, our vision for a whimsical, engraved brick walkway project at the skatepark has raised over $11,500 since 2023. There are 85 more engraved bricks to sell for the project. Priced at $100 each, the bricks […]
Other fundraising & milestones
Inspired by the success of Revitalizing Waterbury’s Stowe Street alley project in memory of Jack Carter, our vision for a whimsical, engraved brick walkway project at the skatepark has raised over $11,500 since 2023. There are 85 more engraved bricks to sell for the project. Priced at $100 each, the bricks are an affordable way to support the project while honoring someone special in your life. Don’t miss this opportunity! Details are online at bricksrus.com/donorsite/waterburyskates.
This past summer the skatepark coalition accepted a $10,000 donation from Waterbury resident Curtis Fox who organized a wildly successful GoFundMe campaign in memory of his childhood friend Ryan Yacavoni. A memorial bench for Ryan will be installed at the park thanks to this exceptional grassroots effort. We are extremely grateful to everyone who supported this undertaking.
Another important part of our fundraising strategy has been to connect with local business sponsors and foundations that recognize the value of having a beautiful, new skatepark in town and want to support the youth and families of our community. We have raised roughly $30,000 from local businesses and foundations for the park and this effort continues. If your business would like to be a sponsor, please contact the coalition at waterburyskatepark@gmail.com. A big thank you to all of the local sponsors who have stepped up to support the project to date.
Most recently in October, the Waterbury Development Review Board approved the park’s design and construction plans. The new 5,000-sq.ft. skatepark will be built in the same location as the original park – behind the Maple Street fire station with a new basketball court adjacent. The skatepark’s budget will also include improved landscaping to add shaded areas and three donated memorial benches. Based on the new master plan, the town will improve the green space and parking lot behind the fire station to provide access to this multi-use recreation area.
Looking ahead to construction in 2025, the Waterbury Skatepark Coalition continues to collaborate with the town to finalize the details and funding for these recreational assets at Hope Davey Park. The coalition intends to contribute $230,000-$240,000 towards the project but this will depend on our fundraising efforts over the next six months.
Meanwhile, the Waterbury Select Board is currently discussing town support for the skatepark from some remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds or revenue from new local option taxes which could get the project closer to the finish line by June.
We are excited to bring this amazing recreation asset to our community. We hope the community agrees! Please consider supporting the campaign either online or by check made to: FORWARD-Waterbury Skatepark, P.O. Box 244, Waterbury Center, VT 05677. See more details about the project at waterburyskateparkvt.org.
Happy Holidays from the Waterbury Skatepark Coalition!
Waterbury Center resident Belle McDougall is a leader of the Waterbury Skatepark Coalition.
