New Oskaloosa Skate Park has ground breaking ceremony
JT walker and Dominik Elder use their shovels to break ground on the new urban park
This past Thursday night, the youth and other members of the community gathered, in the parking lot just West of Hardees, for the official ground breaking for Oskaloosa’s new Urban Park.
During the opening remarks, JT walker told the crowd, “I was one of the ones to help get the ball rolling in the design and location” “I had a little bit to do with the design at first, and the my friend Dominik Elder took over.”
“I did final design and pretty much stuck with it the whole time.” Elder said. He went on to say that he’s “very excited”.
Vavra handed each the two a silver shovel for them to use; and with that, each of the boys put shovel to dirt with applause coming from those in attendance.
Oskaloosa Mayor Dave Krutzfeldt commented that, “It’s a very good feeling. Back in 1999ish I tried, when I was on the city council, to get a skateboard park built and the financing for it became an issue, because of a crash that was going on in the stock market back then, and so we needed to wait for that recovery to take place. The skate park that I had envisioned and what we were planning was no where near what is coming around this time.”
“I am so excited!” Vavra said about the ground breaking. “I’m excited for the kids, the kids are excited.” she continued.
During the next two weeks the kids will be collecting cans to help finance the park. Vavra says the kids have been so active from the beginning in helping to raise funds. “They want to show everyone they are still involved at the end, they have a love of this project.”
Funds have been raised for this project by planned fund raisers, donations, and grants. The project received $10,000 from the Tony Hawk Foundation and $10,000 from the Mahaska County Community Foundation. The youth have shown their own commitment with several service projects and fund raisers in which they planned and participated. They are currently pulling together one last can drive and donation effort. “Committee members have given $100.00 amongst themselves toward this effort.” stated Sherry, “and tonight I was given $70.00 from the youth themselves.
