Ellicottville Skatepark Open for Use
Ellicottville Skatepark Open For Use
Special Grand Opening Celebration Scheduled for Friday, June 30th
Photo / Jake Bellamy
ELLICOTTVILLE, NY - Following three years of fundraising and a year of construction, the Ellicottville Skatepark Committee (SK8EVL) and the Village of Ellicottville are gearing up to host a grand opening celebration of the new concrete public skatepark, located inside Ellicottville’s Village Park. The event is scheduled for Friday, June 30, 2023 at 4:00pm and will feature entertainment, food trucks, giveaways, and of course, skateboarding! All are encouraged to attend.
The skatepark, designed and built by Grindline of Seattle, WA, is a culmination of the passion of local skateboarding advocates and a matching grant awarded by The Skatepark Project and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. With title sponsorship for the project supported by the New Car Dealers of WNY Charitable Foundation, the skatepark will be named the New Car Dealers of WNY Ellicottville Skatepark.
“On behalf of SK8EVL, we can’t thank the New Car Dealers of WNY Charitable Foundation enough for their support in this endeavor,” said Brenda Perks, SK8EVL lead advocate. “Their $100,000 donation turned into $200,000 as a result of The Skatepark Project and RCW Jr. Foundation’s Built to Play matching grant program. Add to that all the support we’ve received from businesses and community members right here in Ellicottville, and we now have a state-of-the-art facility that welcomes all ages, all skill levels, and most importantly, a safe space where our youth can be active, develop friendships and express themselves through the sport of skateboarding.”
Built to Play Skatepark Grants are offered through a partnership between The Skatepark Project and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. The grant initiative offers matching grant funds of up to $250,000. The Built to Play Skatepark Program supports community groups and municipal entities throughout Western NY and SE Michigan that are seeking to create free, public skateparks that serve low-income communities. Built to Play Skatepark Grants also include an additional $50,000 to fund processes and design features that lessen the environmental impact of the skatepark. Ellicottville received the full match as well as the environmental impact award.
“With Brenda and Chris Perks leading the way, the Ellicottville community has come together to create an incredible new recreational resource for the young people of the area. The Skatepark Project is proud to be a part of helping make the Ellicottville Skatepark a reality,” said Benjamin Anderson Bashein, executive director of The Skatepark Project.
For more information about the new skatepark and up-to-date details about the grand opening, follow @sk8evl on Instagram and Facebook.
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About The Skatepark Project: Founded by Tony Hawk, The Skatepark Project (TSP) is a nonprofit organization working to increase access to outdoor recreation and free play through the creation of safe and inclusive community skateparks. TSP provides the resources, advocacy skills, grants and fellowship programs that guide skaters in creating their own community skateparks, from conception through construction. This is a collaborative process between skaters and city authorities to invest in capital improvements that will enrich a community for decades. The Skatepark Project’s grant programs have awarded over $11 million to help fund nearly 700 public skateparks in all 50 States, enjoyed by an estimated 8 million people annually. The organization’s International Program has provided technical and financial support to assist youth through the Skateistan educational programs in Afghanistan, Cambodia, and South Africa. To get involved, visit skatepark.org.
About the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation: The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is a grantmaking organization dedicated primarily to sustained investment in the quality of life of the people of Southeast Michigan and Western New York. The two areas reflect the devotion of Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. to his hometown of Detroit and greater Buffalo, home of his beloved Buffalo Bills NFL team. Prior to his passing in 2014, Mr. Wilson provided that a significant share of his estate be used to continue a life-long generosity of spirit by funding the Foundation that bears his name. Based in Detroit, the Foundation began with a grantmaking capacity of $1.2 billion over a 20-year period, which expires January 8, 2035. This structure is consistent with Mr. Wilson’s desire for the Foundation’s impact to be immediate, substantial, measurable, and overseen by those who knew him best. For more information visit www.rcwjrf.org.