HISTORY
Fund
Raising,
Planning and Building Willits
Skatepark
See
Photo Essay of Building Project by Wormhoudt, Inc.
Chronology:
• 2000 – Several of the what-would-become board members approached
the City of Willits to discuss the possibility of building a skate park in Willits.
The hope of these individuals was that the City would be the lead agency because
of the obvious lack of skating opportunities for Willits Youth. However, the
City did not become the lead agency and these individuals informed the City that
they would start a volunteer effort to build a skate park in Willits. The City
always remained open and cooperative through the whole campaign. Hundreds of
hours were spent researching and preparing for a public outreach campaign, seeking
community response and involvement.
WILLITS
SKATE PARK ASSOCIATION -
ADULT VOLUNTEER SERVICE GROUP
• February 2001 – WSP hosts a public meeting to gauge community support
for a skate park. More than 100 people attend and sign up for work committees.
• February 2001 – A WSP survey completed by 1,126 students in the
Willits public schools found that interest in a skate park was high, with 712
skaters who said they’d use the skate park regularly.
• In May 2001 Willits Skate Park committee was formed, and shortly thereafter
formed into a 501C3 non-profit organization.
• June 2001 – Willits City Council approves the idea of building
a skate park on 1.5 acres of City-owned property on Commercial Street.
• Summer 2001 – Community fund-raising begins. Events did include
a benefit concert by guitarist David Lindley, a Chili Cook-Off, car washes, raffles,
bake sales. Colorful donation cans were placed on local business counters.
T-Shirt fro Aug 2001 Fair |
• August
2001 – First annual Willits Skate Fair,
featuring temporary skate ramps set up at the Recreation Grove,
draws more than 600 attendees, including 200 skaters, and raises
nearly $10,000.
• September 2001 – Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians donates $10,000
to the skate park project to honor California Native American Day.
• October 2001 – WSPA writes grant for the City and the City Council
authorizes a $247,000 grant application to the State Parks and Recreation Roberti-Z’berg-Harris
grant program for construction of the Willits Skate Park. The City Council
also agrees to allocate $25,000 in redevelopment funds for the local match
required
for the grant.
• November 2001 – T.R. Eriksen Foundation in Ukiah awards $20,000
grant to the Willits Skate Park.
• January 2002 – Mendocino County Community Foundation gives $3,000
grant to the Willits Skate Park.
• January 2002 – Concert – West African Highlife Band – Fundraiser
held in collaboration with Willits Cultural Arts Commission, Willits Theater
and KZYX.
• May 2002 – State Parks & Rec announces the approval of $247,000
in RZH funding for constructing the Willits Skate Park.
• August 2002 – Second annual Willits Skate Fair raises $5,000 for
the Willits Skate Park project.
• August 2002 – City of Willits awards skate park design contract
to Wormhoudt Associates, Inc.
• September 14, 2002 - Wormhoudt, Inc. held the first of two public workshops
to get input from local skaters.
• March 2003 – Fundraiser, Concert with Tommy Castro performed at
Willits Community Center.
• April 2003 – 2nd public workshop held for local skater design input.
T.R. Eriksen Foundation awards second $20,000 grant to the Willits Skate Park
• May 2003 - Wormhoudt, Inc. reveals the completed design of the Willits
Skate Park. Local skaters rave that the skate park “Will Flow”.
• September 2003 – Fundraiser, Concert with Tommy Castro performed
at Willits Community Center.
• March – July 2004 - Helping Hands Program, held over four weekends.
Designed as a youth outreach program to educate local skaters on use of the
new skatepark, then allowing imprinting of concrete squares that will be placed
within
the new park areas. 150 children and their parents participated.
• April 2004 – Chili Cook-Off. T.R. Eriksen Foundation awards third
grant for $10,000.
• May – August 2004 - Completed skate park construction (Wahoo! Let’s
skate!) and installation of landscaping and irrigation by Skate Park volunteers.
• August 2004 to present – Ongoing fundraising planned so that park
pathways, landscaping, and picnic areas can be completed.
• Skate
Park Grand Opening – Saturday, 6/04/05
The
first-in-Mendocino-County Willits Skate Park.
See Photo
Gallery of Grand Opening
• Skating started at 10 a.m., with DJ music
all day, as well as a barbecue by the Willits Lions, treats
by Sugar Magnolia,
raffles, and T-shirts.
• 12 Noon: The official park dedication ceremony featuring a
few words by supporters and local and state government representatives.
•
12:30 – 1:30 PM Pro demo by the Satori Skate Team.
•
Live music and open skating from 1:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Estimated Amount of Time Donated over 5 years = 6,000 hours
