Looking back on 2009, looking forward to 2010 and THANKS!
As we see the end of 2009 on the horizon, we’ve been looking back at our successes, as well as looking forward to what’s to come in 2010 and beyond. Without the support of the Washtenaw County community, we couldn’t be where we are today: on the brink of creating Ann Arbor’s largest public recreation project in the past 25 years.
2009 was big for the Ann Arbor Skatepark. After the City Council unanimously approved the location for the skatepark, we started the year by announcing The Ann Arbor Skatepark Fund at the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. The AAACF has been supportive of our efforts since we first came to them for guidance and assistance in administering the large amount of money we’ll be raising. We actually have two funds at the AAACF. We have the design-build fund, and also the endowment. Ten percent of each gift to the Ann Arbor Skatepark goes to the endowment. This separate fund will help to cover the costs of ongoing maintenance and upgrades to the Ann Arbor Skatepark.
Our biggest event of the year (so far) was held
on May 15 at the Vault of Midnight. We had our first annual skate-art show, which included local and national artists each taking a blank skateboard deck and doing what they do to make them into works of art. About 400 people attended the event, and we raised nearly $9,000. The second annual skate-art show will be even bigger and better. Mark your calendars for May 15, 2010. We’ll be at the Vault of Midnight again for an even more amazing show.
Summer brought us the Art Fair, and many of you chipped-in to cover a shift at our booth. The Art Fair booth is a good way for us to get out in the community and discuss the skatepark face to face with those who are interested in it. This is one of our greatest volunteer opportunities of the year. We usually raise a few thousand dollars during the Art Fair, which helps greatly with our operating fund. The operating fund, which is separate from our design-build fund, helps us to put-on and promote events.
August and September found us meeting with potential large donors, as we work to raise the $1,000,000 we’ll need to fund the 30,000 sq. ft. world-class skatepark we’re going to build. We’ve had many great meetings, and our fundraising team is excited about big news coming soon on the fundraising front. August and September also brought positive conversations with Washtenaw County and City of Ann Arbor parks officials regarding public funding for the skatepark. The support we’re getting from our elected officials is great!
Just recently, we took the BTB bus out to Riley skatepark in Farminton Hills. The trip was a great success, as members of the community, as well as Council and Parks Commission members were able to get a first-hand look at what Michigan’s biggest and best skatepark (so far) looks like. The rain threatened to hold us back, but the weather cleared long enough for us to get a good tour of the park, and even get some skating in!
October brings us possibly our biggest event of the year. This will be our design workshop. It will be held on Sunday, October 18 at 2:00 PM at Slauson Middle School. Skatepark builder and designer Wally Hollyday will be coming to get the community’s input on what we want in a skatepark. Who’s invited? Kids, parents, skaters, non-skaters, City, County and State officials, environmentalists, artists, and every other member of the community. In short… YOU. Come help us make this the skatepark our community wants it to be. With your help, this will be the best skatepark in Michigan, the Midwest, and possibly the country. We’ll have more reminders coming soon about this awesome event.
2009 has indeed been a great year for the Ann Arbor Skatepark, but things are getting better every day. We already have many events planned for 2010, including a winter INDOOR skate jam and pro demo. Your support has helped us get to where we are, and we need that support to continue. If you’re interested in helping us bring this project to fruition, please contact us. We’d love to hear from you.
Big thanks to the Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County communities for your support!
-Trevor Staples