Heaven In Hartford

Or, at least for the time being… news of the Tony Hawk grant is the lead story on courant.com.

Check it out.

We just got a $10,000 grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation! Awesome news.

Also, here’s the final design that we’re pretty sure fits within the budget and should make everyone happy.

HeavenHartford_DesignSkateParkFinal

Sorry it’s a pdf.

Here’s a press release I wrote to save me from having to type the same thing twice:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hartford skatepark awarded $10,000 grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation, first such award in Connecticut.

The skateboarding and BMX community in Hartford received exciting news today in the form of an email from the Tony Hawk Foundation stating that the skatepark to be built in Heaven, New Ross, County Wexford Park, would be receiving an additional $10,000. This money will supplement the $150,000 of Community Development Block Grant funds that the City of Hartford had allocated for the park and the approximately $3,000 raised through donations and events by the Hartford Skateboarding Task Force. These funding sources ensure that no corners will be cut in constructing a park that meets the requirements of the skaters and BMXers. While it will still be a few months until construction begins, due to procurement procedures and Federal Highway Administration and Connecticut Department of Transportation permitting, these funds ensure that the project will proceed with the best outcome.

Hartford City Council Member Luis E. Cotto commented on the good news: “I could not be more excited. Heaven has been a fixture of the East Coast scene for years and it makes perfect sense that the Tony Hawk Foundation has decided to help out the City’s efforts to formalize and develop the infrastructure at the park. Hartford has given a lot to the skating community, so it’s fitting that skating community and industry are giving back. I really hope Tony Hawk can stop by for the opening.” Cotto empanelled the Task Force a little over three years ago.

The Hartford Court of Common Council created the Hartford Skateboard Task Force with the purpose of advising the City on the potential location, design and construction of a skatepark. Comprised of representatives of the skating, BMX, business, government and park communities, the Task Force fulfilled those goals and undertook fundraising and grant-writing measures to ensure that the park would be built. The design for the park was created with strong community input and a devised process via a series of public meetings.

More information is available at www.heaveninhartford.org. The Task Force would like to thank the Charter Oak Cultural Center for serving as the non-profit sponsor for the grant application.

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So, we think this is our final design after input from locals & Tony Hawk. Sk8.Prk.Sm When we applied for funds before he sent us back some suggestions and we incorporated them.

Sorry. I only have it as a pdf.

Mayor Segarra recommended $150,000 in Federal CDBG funds for the park and the City Council approved it at this Monday’s Council meeting. This is big news, because it means that the money is finally coming together and we’re nearing the final stages before construction begins. Ben is finalizing the design, so that should be up here soon.

Thank you to everyone who has helped to make a skatepark at reality at Heaven.

Thank you to everyone who came out or send in donations for our fundraiser last Thursday. We raised more than $700, which is too bad considering there was a parking ban. Also, I want to thank Berkshire Bluegrass for playing. I hope you liked the food we made. Stay tuned for our next event.

We’re going to have a pasta dinner fundraiser Jan 27 at 6:00pm at Charter Oak Cultural Center. $15 or whatever you muster. More details to follow.

I’m really good with noodles.

I’ve been hearing a lot of people saying “leave the ledges alone!!!” “AHH!!! Why ARE you getting ridding of the ledges?”

The ledges aren’t going anywhere. What you’re seeing in both on the designs occupies the space where the basketball court lines are.

Ben just finished his redesign after the input we received back in September. I think it looks pretty good. Tell us what you think.

Click the image to see a bigger version.

Design by Ben McCarthy.

Wanna help the skatepark get built? Contribute some money! We’ve set up a project on Kickstarter. Contribute $5 to get a limited edition sticker if the project succeeds, or $25 to get a t-shirt. Check it out here.

Here’s a preliminary park design that was created to get things started.