Grants available to develop skateparks in WNY
BUFFALO – The Tony Hawk Foundation and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation have officially opened applications for the “Built to Play” initiative’s skatepark grants in Western New York and Southeast Michigan. WNY counties that are eligible to apply include Allegany, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming.
As part of its recently launched Built to Play initiative, the two foundations are seeking applications to create free, high-quality, public skateparks in underserved areas of Western New York and Southeast Michigan.
The Built to Play Skatepark Program supports community groups and municipal entities seeking to create free, public skateparks that serve low-income communities. In addition to grant funding, the program also provides advisory services and advocacy training to assist groups in organizing and managing their efforts to build skateparks in their communities.
Through Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation funding, the Tony Hawk Foundation will offer matching grant funds of up to $250,000 to assist in the construction of public, non-profit skateparks, giving youth the opportunity to be active whether they’re riding on skateboards, BMX bikes, scooters or rollerblades, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation said today. The grant funding will result in the creation of up to 20 skateparks over the next several years, with up to five being constructed with this first phase of grants.
“We’re very excited about our partnership with the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation,” said Tony Hawk. “Having helped create eight skateparks in the region over the past fifteen years, we believe the Built to Play Skatepark Program offers unprecedented resources for eligible communities to build new skateparks for their youth.”
As part of the Built to Play initiative, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is also working with KaBOOM!, the national non-profit dedicated to giving all kids great, safe places to play. KaBOOM!’s Play Everywhere Challenge, a design competition which encourages installations constructed to integrate play into everyday life and unexpected places, is accepting applications until May 11, 2018.
The deadline for Built to Play Skatepark grant applications is June 13, 2018. For more information and eligibility requirements, click here.
