Support Fully Funded $18M Matching Grants for Minnesota Public Skateparks
The Minnesota Skate Park Grant Program will fuel the construction of world-class public skateparks throughout Minnesota—but first it must be passed by the MN legislature.
Currently there are 35+ Minnesota skatepark projects planned but in need of funding before they can be built. If you want a quality skatepark in your community, get involved.
The MN Skate Park Grant Program was initiated by City of Skate with grants from the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission.
How to Get Involved
Contact your MN state senator and MN house representative today. Let your elected officials know you support skateboarding and value quality skate parks in our communities.
The MN legislature’s 2023 session ends May 22nd, so now is the time to ask your MN senator and representative to fully fund the MN State Skate Park Grant Program in bills SF677/HF670 and SF1944/HF2030.
You can copy and paste this text into your email:
My name is _____ and I am writing to ask for your support in funding the Minnesota State Skate Park Grant Program to $18M.
As your constituent, I want to ask for your support of the Minnesota State Skate Park Grant Program via the SF677/HF670 and SF1944/HF2030 bonding initiatives in the 2023 MN Legislative Session. This $18M statewide matching grant program will result in over $40M of investment in Minnesota youth, community improvement and infrastructure jobs through construction and industry.
Our district could benefit from this project with a new, high-quality public skate park, as would numerous other Minnesota communities that are in need of the accessible and inclusive recreation opportunities that skate parks provide.
The data shows, and I can verify from my own experience, that skate parks help build and sustain healthy communities. They become gathering places for dedicated, athletic youth, much like soccer fields and ballparks. They provide opportunities for interaction and competition among skaters of all ages, beginners and advanced, to meet and share experiences. For many skateboarding youth, the skate park becomes their third space—their safe place.
I ask that you support this youth-centered, community-building, state allocation, and as my elected representatives I urge you to support and fund public skate parks via SF677/HF670 and SF1944/HF2030 in the 2023 MN General Fund Bonding Bills.
Thank you for your commitment to strengthening our community and to the health and well-being of Minnesota’s youth.
Sincerely, your constituent in District ___,
(Name, Date)
About the MN State Skate Park Grant Program
This MN State Skate Park Grant Program provides matching funds for new, larger quality public skate park construction and supports much needed public skate park renovations throughout the state of Minnesota. In October 2020, the MN State Legislature and Gov. Walz passed a bonding bill that included a MN State Skate Park Grant program—but only funded it with $250,000. Please continue to advocate in 2023 with your MN state senator and representative to fully fund and pass this $18M funding initiative during the 2023 Legislative Session.
$18M would provide grants for:
- Community skateparks of 10,000 to 20,000 square feet, with matching funds of up to $500,000. Community skateparks increase access to quality public skate parks for all Minnesotans.
- Regional skateparks of 20,000 to 40,000 square feed, with matching grants of up to $1M. Large public skate parks with a regional impact offer challenges and styles for all skaters.
- Statewide and national-draw skateparks of 40,000 to 80,000 square feet, with a matching grant of $2.5M. World-class skateparks offer space and challenges for beginners to professionals. Examples include Arvada, CO, Houston, Des Moines, and San Diego.