Grant opens door to new skate park in Walla Walla A $42,000 grant will help build a facility planned for the Eastgate area.
By VICKI HILLHOUSE of the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
WALLA WALLA -- Skateboarders take note: Plans are rolling ahead for a bigger and better skate park.
The Donald & Virginia Sherwood Trust has awarded a $42,000 grant to the Walla Walla Skate Park Association. In addition to money that's already been raised, the funds will be used to build an intermediate/advanced skate facility in the Eastgate area.
The new facility will be constructed at the Mill Creek Sportsplex on Tausick Way, said Colby Kuschatka, treasurer of the Walla Walla Skate Park Association. Groundbreaking is tentatively scheduled for September or October.
The new park will be built by Dreamland Skate Parks, the Oregon company renowned for building some of the top skate parks in the world.
Plans for an advanced bowl structure have been in the works about three years as the association has attempted to raise money for the extensive structure, estimated at $70,000. Originally the roughly U-shaped bowl, with depth from five to 10 feet and a granite top edge, was slated for construction next to the existing skate facility at Fort Walla Walla Park.
The association decided to move the skate park to the eastern side of the city to help provide neighborhood youth -- particularly those who can't drive to the other side of town -- a place to skate.
In addition to the more advanced structure, the association wants to add a beginners facility at the Sportsplex, where new skaters would be able to learn from more experienced ones.
The existing facility at Fort Walla Walla Park will stay as it is for the time being, Kuschatka said. Plans for the advanced concept are being finalized. The association is in the process of creating concept drawings for the beginners area.
The skate park association has lobbied hard for grants -- the Blue Mountain Community Foundation has been a donor -- and other funds.
At least $15,000 of the more than $30,000 raised by last March came from the sale of "skate bricks," granite bricks that will be used in various monuments at the park and honor donors through engravings.
Kuschatka said the donation from the Sherwood Trust solidifies funding for the advanced structure. Fund raising will continue for the beginners area.
To learn more about the Walla Walla Skate Park Association's latest project, to make donations, volunteer or to see design concepts, visit www.skatewallawalla.org .
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dman wrote on Jul 23, 2008 9:31 AM:
" LUCERO I'm sure all the individuals and businesses that worked hard and contributed the well needed and highly appreciated funds to that "hunk of trash" that without out it, there would be no dreamland for an ungrateful wannabe like you. "
Sir Rosis wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:29 PM:
" Lucero, can you explain the "core culture" that you mentioned in your comment, please? I'm curious what this means. "
LUCERO wrote on Jul 22, 2008 4:20 PM:
" I think that its great that Walla Walla is getting a new BETTER skatepark not like that hunk of trash thats there now. You should all be glad that this is happening and that Grant is helping to pave the way for core culture in that town. Further more kids have a place to go and skate without being hassled, plus they are in a safe designated area.And Dreamland is a great skatepark contractor Red knows his stuff. If anyone wants to comment back to me do I don't care. "
mlee wrote on Jul 22, 2008 11:35 AM:
" How about some funds for a swimming pool. It is really odd that there is no public pool here. And please do not even try to include Jefferson pool as a "pool" it is for little kids because it is only 2 1/2 feet deep. "
Needa Poole wrote on Jul 22, 2008 9:48 AM:
" So... hows the fundrasing for the new pool coming along? "
Sir Rosis wrote on Jul 21, 2008 1:44 PM:
" Great news! I don't skate, but I'm excited for this skate park.
dman wrote on Jul 23, 2008 9:31 AM: