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Perrysburg committee weighs phased skate park plan, seeks city sponsorship
Summary
Members of the Perrysburg Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee discussed a phased approach to building a skate facility, including low-cost pilot features, fundraising options and the need for formal city endorsement and private sponsors.
Members of the Perrysburg Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee spent a large portion of their meeting discussing a proposal to develop a skate facility in Perrysburg and next steps to fund and site it.
The committee discussed building the facility in phases, starting with low-cost skate features as a pilot before committing to a full concrete skate park. Justin (PRAC member and neuro sensory supervisor at ProMedica Toledo Hospital) said he would help lead planning and fundraising and argued a small start could demonstrate demand. “If you build it, they will come,” Justin said.
Why it matters: committee members said a successful skate facility could engage teenagers who do not participate in traditional team sports and help revitalize underused parks such as 3 Meadows and Bicentennial. Members repeatedly described funding and city endorsement as the principal obstacles.
Committee discussion and options
- Phased approach: members described starting with inexpensive “skate spots” (features that look like benches but include skateable edges) that cost under $10,000, then expanding if usage supports it. Justin described examples of locally built features that had raised “several thousand dollars” in grassroots fundraising.
- Potential locations: speakers suggested 3 Meadows, Orleans Park and Rotary as possible initial sites; 3 Meadows was repeatedly named for its underused open space.
- Funding and partners: members discussed pursuing grants and corporate sponsors, noting the Tony Hawk Foundation as an example of possible external funding sources and that private contractors had expressed interest in donating materials or labor. Committee members reported some local contractors had told them “when it gets started, let us know, we’re interested.”
- City process and approvals: multiple members said the committee needs the Recreation Committee’s and city council’s formal backing before approaching major donors. The committee agreed the next step is to brief or align with the city council member who supports the idea so it can be presented as a city-endorsed project.
What the committee directed
- Members agreed to seek alignment with the city’s Recreation Committee and a city council sponsor to move the project toward an endorsed city initiative.
- Volunteers on the committee offered to research pilot features, seek local contractor interest and explore fundraising models.
Next steps and timeline
Committee members said they would speak with the council contact identified during the meeting and pursue conversations with local contractors, fundraising contacts and the Recreation Department to determine a feasible timeline. No formal commitment of city funds or a final site was made during the meeting.
Ending
Committee members left the discussion with action items to contact council leadership and the Recreation Department and to identify potential pilot features and sponsors for a phased skate facility.
