Lincoln Skatepark nears completion

Lincoln Skatepark construction wrapped up Memorial Day weekend, apart from some remaining dirt work, paint, landscaping and signage.

The park won't be open for use until after park rules signs are posted, said project coordinator Karyn Good, who will consult with the county to determine that date.

The grand opening is not scheduled yet, either, but Good is planning for the event this summer.

"Jeff Ament will be attending the event, so I'll work with him to come up with a date and inform the community. Jeff and I will chat about activities, but I'm thinking a community BBQ, music, and hopefully, lots of kids on skateboards. The event will be very family friendly," said Good, who worked with Lincoln English teacher Philip Reed and a group of students to bring the skate park to Lincoln.

"It's a lot better than I had ever anticipated. I'm so excited about it," said Makenzie Storey, the president of the Skatepark Committee and part of the effort since the outset. "With all the COVID stuff going on right now, I wasn't expecting it to be done so soon. I know a lot of our fundraising got put on hold."

She said she wasn't expecting it to be done until next summer.

"We've put a lot of hard work and dedication into the skate park. Hours of fundraising and research and a lot of public speaking, believe it or not, to get this done," said Storey. "I'm very proud of the kids that came out and joined the skate park club to help us, and Karyn and Mr. Reed really stepping in and helping us and mentoring us through all of it."

"These kids have an outlet now," she said. "That's one of the main reasons I did it. These kids need something else to do in this town, because it's pretty much just all bars."

Storey noted she has heard some complaints about the removal of the horseshoe pits to make way for the skate park. At least two of the horseshoe pits will be reinstalled at a new location in Hooper Park, said Good.

Local businesses and community members provided support for the skate park throughout the construction process.

"L&L Sawmill supplied lumber, Smith's Backhoe Service supplied gravel for a discounted price and donated some as well. Bushwackers, the Wheel Inn and the Montanan Steakhouse all provided free dinners for the construction crew," said Good. "Pioneer Technical Services donated in-kind services to reroute the park irrigation line and test ground water levels to determine if flooding could be an issue in the future. They are also donating sod and benches in the skate park."

"It's also important to thank Public Works and Lewis and Clark County for approving and supporting the skate park project," she added.

The Skatepark Committee plans to meet via Zoom this week to discuss fundraising goals and park additions through 2021. "We'd like to plant some shade trees and create some sort of shelter and maybe even a bathroom," said Good.

In addition to continued fundraising, the Skatepark Committee is looking for help with laying sod and with the grand opening event, through serving or providing food for the BBQ, said Good. "If people are interested in helping, they can contact me at 406-210-5782. If people would like to make a donation to the skate park, they can send it to our fiscal sponsor, Make It Happen Montana at PO Box 3731, Lewistown, MT, 59457."