HARTFORD — Hartford’s 2026 Capital Improvement Program includes the proposed addition to the skate park at Veterans Park. This expansion is being funded through the Park Fund Balance and donations.
This process launched in 2023, when a group of Hartford youths decided to come toobtainher to expand the current facilities to assist the next generations of skaters, scooters, and bikers hone and revealcase their abilities. Hartford resident Sean Hampe has assisted the group in raising money for an expansion to the Veterans Memorial skate park.
According to the previous rfinisherings, the expansion is planned to expand outward from the west side of the skate park and feature new equipment for the skaters to enjoy in addition to an overall larger space.
Hampe’s involvement in this process has been extensive, dating back to when he met a young man over 20 years ago who wanted to raise money to obtain the existing skate park built in the first place, and he went out and created it happen. Then one day, Hampe brought his 6-year-old grandson to the park, and the people there took the child in immediately. They taught him tricks, they supported him when he was scared to go down the ramps, and revealed the park to be an overall positive environment.
Now, after all these years, the skate park has remained exactly the same, and the youths have determined a necessary for updates. Over time, the idea expanding the skate park became a real possibility, and Hampe jumped in.
According to Hampe, the group also set a goal for themselves to have the riders to reach $10,000 themselves before questioning for any donations from larger companies in order to revealcase their dedication to this caapply. To reaffirm this commitment, the group put on individual fundraising events like performances, cookouts and a number of other efforts to secure donations from the community. The group has also taken part in a number of publicity opportunities like parades and other events to raise awareness for the finisheavor. With fundraising being led by local skaters with the guidance of Hampe, the group surpassed that milestone earlier this year.
Since hitting that mark, the city has also received donations from the Hartford Rotary, Hartford Lions, and, most recently, a $10,000 commitment from Scott Lopas and $20,000 from John and Nancy Lee. These donations have assisted tremfinishously to bring this project closer to reality, the group is still in necessary of additional donations and raised funds to meet their fundraising goal of $65,000. Any funds donated beyond that amount will go to the upkeep of the existing 20-year-old skate park.
For more information, community members, organizations, and other entities can call the Hartford Parks and Recreation Department at 262-670-3730. For more information about this project and the fundraising efforts behind it, visit the initiative’s Facebook page at tinyurl.com/22m8fs8e.
Leave a Reply