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Lititz Skatepark seeks funding

By Laura Knowles on January 16, 2019

A year ago, organizers for the Lititz Skatepark met to plan their dream park.

That park is getting a little closer now, but the biggest trick will be raising funds for the new Lititz Skatepark. According to Rob Reed of the Lancaster County Skatepark Association and development director at Lancaster Science Factory, the association has been able to contribute a total of $2,000 toward the project in the past two years, $1,000 in 2017 and another $1,000 in 2018.

It will surely cost far more than that to design and build the skatepark that enthusiasts have been wanting.

“Fundraising will begin in earnest for the Lititz Skatepark when we have a final design, which will allow us to more accurately predict costs,” says Reed, adding that having that final goal will enable contributors to more accurately reach their target.

There are two upcoming fundraisers for the Lititz Skatepark. The first is set for Jan. 19 at the Common Wheel bicycle shop at 324 N. Queen St., Lancaster. The fundraiser is set for 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., and will feature artwork and photography by Rob Reed, Ollie Wilson, Brian Seber, Holly Farrell, Kyle Fiala, and Dave Ginolfi. The event is 21+ with beer provided by Fetish Brewing and music by Horse & Boogie.

Lititz Skatepark organizers Sloan Palder, Rob Reed and Andrew Moignard.

The next fundraiser is on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Chameleon Club, 223 N. Water St. in Lancaster. The Second Annual Parks & Wreck Fest is set for 4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. It’s an all-ages event, featuring dozens of bands. Tickets are $10-15. Among the bands expected to perform are Black Crown Initiate, Goat Skull Rebellion, Brom Bones, Big Green Limousine, Mind Rot, High Heels, Jet Silver, Horrible Charlie, Andhera, Witness Maker, The Grip, Fake, and Lone Cricket and the Ensifera. There will be an after-party at the Chameleon Club’s Lizard Lounge, following the day-long festival. The gathering of skaters and music lovers from Lancaster, Reading and beyond will get together to raise funds and awareness of the Lancaster Skatepark Association and Reading Skatepark Association to build concrete skate parks in the Lancaster and Reading areas.

“Funds raised at these events will be spread between the two projects we are working on, one in Lancaster City and, of course, the Lititz Skatepark renovation,” says Reed. Reed reports that a preliminary design has been developed by 5th Pocket Skateparks, but it isn’t quite ready to share with the public yet.

“Because of the unique shape of the site and limitations with some stormwater runoff requirements, it’s a bit of a complex project,” says Reed. “We are currently working to make sure it is both fun and functional, and we should have more news about the final design in the near future. Reed and other skatepark enthusiasts are anxious to get moving on the project. At a series of meetings held last year, more than 50 skateboarders of all ages gathered at the Lititz recCenter to express their hopes for the Lititz Skatepark.

The existing skatepark located near the recCenter has fallen into disrepair with metal ramps that must to moved from position to position, and are difficult to maintain. A new concrete skatepark would offer a maintenance-free park, designed to be more challenging and safer for skateboarders.

“By replacing the old metal park with a new, poured-in-place concrete skatepark, Lititz will have a skatepark that will last for decades,” says Reed. Reed has taken on the role of organizer for the skatepark revamping and is working with Jesse Clayton, owner and designer at 5th Pocket Skateparks, who has designed more than 40 skateparks in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. At least a dozen of them were done through 5th Pocket Skateparks. Last year, Clayton reported that building a poured-concrete skatepark could cost as much as $250,000. It could be even more. Concrete skateparks typically cost $30 to $40 per square foot, and the Lititz Skatepark is anticipated to be between 10,000 and 12,000 square feet.

“To start, we are hoping to raise $100,000 toward the park,” says Reed. “We hope to get businesses, local municipalities, organizations and skateboarders on board for the park, which will be a great addition to Lititz area recreation.”

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