With Tosa Skatepark designed, organizers push for expansion

A rendering shows how a new skate park in Hart Park could look.

A rendering shows how a new skate park in Hart Park could look. Photo By Submitted by Stantec/Action Sport Design

Sept. 3, 2014

Local skaters gave their support Aug. 28 to renderings of the Tosa Skatepark planned to open in Hart Park next summer.

Kanten Russell of Stantec/Action Sport Design will now have to work with city officials to finalize the plans and get government approvals before construction can begin.

In the meantime, the grassroots organizers of Tosa Skateboarders United hope to raise enough money for an expansion to the base design, which would add a second loop to the park.

With its current budget of $250,000, the skate park is designed to include a bowl, half pipe, grind ledges, stairs, railings, a bank and seating areas. The features are arranged in a circle around a green space with skateable planters. They include options for all levels of skaters on boards and blades.

"We're trying provide a nice, safe environment, free and open to the public, where everyone can ride," Russell said.

In a nod to its home city of Wauwatosa, the design includes a graphic of a firefly on a bank wall. Russell said he is looking into the idea of using glow-in-the-dark concrete to make the firefly.

Although the project hasn't yet been bid on by builders, TSU donor and organizer Judy Doyle said the group is hoping to raise as much money as possible to ensure the construction of certain elements and possibly fund an expanded design.

Hoping to secure a shade structure for the park, the group is selling bricks to line the entrance path and seating area. Starting at $100, donors buying bricks can inscribe them with messages of their choice. Prices go up to $2,000 for various sizes and designs. Doyle said they have so far sold about 45 of the 100 bricks they hope to sell.

The group is looking for sponsors for several other elements in the park, including the bowl, stairs and banked wall. They also have a Go Fund Me page set up for the bowl with a target of $75,000.

So far, the group has raised money with an 80-80-80 concept, with $80,000 each coming from the city, the Doyle family and TSU.

"We're really trying to get the businesses in Tosa and Milwaukee to be part of that 80-80-80 concept to get another 80," Doyle said. "Now that people can see it and visualize it, this is where businesses have a great opportunity to step up and say we want to be part of this."

TSU will be out promoting the park at their Tosa Fest Ramp Jam from 2 to 6 p.m. Sept. 6.

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