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Ball State student seeks funding for West Side skatepark graffiti wall; offers $1,160 in community donations for water fountain or skate camp
Summary
Caleb Swartz, a senior urban planning student at Ball State University, told the Muncie Parks and Recreation Board on Oct. 21 that a pre‑grant meeting with the George and Frances Ball Foundation was canceled and offered $1,160 in community‑raised funds — matched by Ball State — for a water fountain, skate camp equipment or other small amenities at the West Side Skatepark.
A Ball State student who has been organizing community support for a legal graffiti wall at the West Side Skatepark updated the Muncie Parks and Recreation Board on Oct. 21 and offered a small community donation for park improvements.
Caleb Swartz, a senior urban planning student at Ball State University and a volunteer on the project, told the board the initiative has gathered letters of support from local institutions but that a scheduled pre‑grant meeting with the George and Frances Ball Foundation was canceled by the foundation. Swartz said that raised concern because the Ball Foundation did not identify the project as a highest‑priority initiative for funding.
Swartz said he and community members had raised $580 through a T‑shirt fundraiser; Ball State’s College of Architecture and Planning matched that amount, bringing the total in hand to $1,160, currently held by Ball State’s Student Planning Association. "I said I'd be very happy if we were able to get a water fountain at the skate park," Swartz told the board, offering the funds as a donation to Muncie Parks if the board would accept and use them for a water source, skateboards for a summer skate camp, or other small capital amenities.
The board and staff discussed alternatives. Parks staff noted that a water fountain could cost roughly the same order of magnitude as the available funds but that plumbing and installation would require additional money; board members also suggested movable skate obstacles or portable amenities. The board encouraged Swartz to coordinate a short letter outlining permitted uses of the funds and said staff would work with him and the Muncie Delaware County Community Foundation pass‑through account if needed.
Why it matters: the graffiti wall project aims to provide a supervised, legal space for youth expression and to increase safe, creative activity at the skatepark. With a larger fundraising goal estimated at $20,000–$30,000 for a prefabricated structure of an increased size, the student sought the board’s feedback on next steps after the Ball Foundation cancellation.
Next steps and board direction Swartz said he will coordinate with Carl Malone and the parks office to transfer the $1,160 as a donation or to pursue an alternative amenity such as a fountain or equipment for a summer skate camp. Board members asked for a brief written statement from Swartz specifying how the funds may be used; staff agreed to accept funds through the Muncie Delaware County Community Foundation pass‑through account and to help explore additional grant opportunities.
Ending: The board did not take a formal vote on further support for the graffiti wall itself; members asked for a letter of intent from Swartz and said staff should return any needed information about matching funds and installation requirements.
