Supporters of a planned skate park in Berlin are reportedly just $7,500 from their next fundraising goal for the project.
A tentative schematic of a proposed skate park in the Town of Berlin is pictured. The design part of the process will feature community feedback through each step.
Submitted rendering
By Charlene Sharpe, Associate Editor
Berlin Skate park supporters say they’re just $7,500 from their next fundraising goal.
We Heart Berlin, the nonprofit focused on bringing a skate park to the town, is in the middle of a fundraising push to raise $7,500. The money will bring the nonprofit to the brink of construction.
“We are nearing the end of the design phase,” We Heart Berlin organizer Tony Weeg said. “We’re just $7,500 short of our next goal, which gets us construction documents.”
While We Heart Berlin promotes healthy and sustainable activities and the creation of recreational opportunities throughout the town, one of its key goals since inception has been construction of a skate park in Berlin. In 2022, the nonprofit hired Spohn Ranch, a skate park design company, to look at potential locations and come up with a concept design. Last year, the council officially voted to designate Heron Park as the future location of the park.
That was a key step, as it enabled We Heart Berlin to begin fundraising more formally. Weeg said the nonprofit was still focused on a 14,000 to 16,000 square-foot skate park that would be near the section of Heron Park where the town plans to construct a new public works facility. Weeg said the fact that the skate park would be adjacent to the new building meant that development could proceed cooperatively, as considerations for elements such as parking, sewer and electric could be made around the same time.
“We’re going to be in lockstep with them,” Weeg said, adding that the skate park would be in front of the public works building.
He said the skate park was nearing the end of the design phase and fundraising was underway for the $7,500 still needed so Spohn Ranch can draft construction documents.
“Our goal is to be breaking ground in 2025,” he said.
Once the funding is raised for the construction documents, Weeg said the nonprofit would be working toward the $1.2 million needed for the actual construction of the park, which will likely be done in phases. He is anxious to see the community benefit from all of the positive activity a skate park can create.
“It’s hugely important for the kids of Berlin,” he said. “Kids of all ages. A skate park is not just a skate park. It’s a place for mentorship, burning off energy and learning. It’s not just for learning skateboarding but to learn about life.”
He thanked community members for their support of the project so far and encouraged anyone interested in donating to visit the We Heart Berlin website.