By Rachel Drinkard
Turnagain Times Correspondent
Girdwood Skate park volunteers and committee members are now offering “Ride Girdwood” bracelets to raise funds to replace the park ramps and equipment. They are available at Girdwood Books and News, Chair Five, and Jim’s Bike Shop or from any committee member, for a suggested donation of $5.00.
“It kind of took a while to get started with the actual fundraising this summer,” said Dave North who has been active in the park improvements and developments.
“Everyone’s so excited about the new park and has a lot of ideas about what they want it to be like, which is cool, but now it’s all about trying to get everyone on the same page about fundraising and raising awareness on the project.”
Earlier this year, the skate park was awarded a $30,000 grant from the Anchorage Parks Foundation funded by The Rasmuson Foundation, a private family foundation organized in 1955 to promote better lives for Alaskans.
The grant requires all funds be matched through fundraising, labor and in-kind contributions. The current fundraising goal for this project is $180,000 by October of 2009.
Plans for the park include new, state of the art steel- and powder-coated ramp assemblies such as those made by American Ramp Company, who will be in town this week to present their products. While many parks elsewhere opt for concrete ramps, the intense freeze-thaw cycles and damp environment make this kind of ramp the best option for Girdwood.
“Our long-term dream is to be able to build a roof over the whole thing to extend the riding season during Girdwood’s damper and darker hours,” said Parks and Recreation representative Jonnie Lazarus.
“But that is something for ‘down the road,’” she added. “We are committed to this long-term project, and we believe it can be a showcase for Girdwood and will draw skaters from all over.”
If you would like to lend ideas and energy to this effort, contact Dave North at 744-5437, Francis Byerly at 783-7611 or Gates Kesler at 240-4976. You may also contact Jonnie Lazarus or John Gallup with Girdwood Board of Supervisors for more information.