Ever since 2016, members of the PEAK Foundation in Alberton have dreamt of renovating the town park. Now, their dream will come true with an official ground breaking in early June. Armed with a $10,000 grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation, the money can be added to the pot to fund the project. Once they reach $150,000, Montana State Parks will match that amount dollar-for-dollar to complete the $300,000 renovation.

Central to the design is a new skate park which is why they received the Tony Hawk grant. Hawk is a pioneer of modern vertical skateboarding and established the Tony Hawk Foundation. With his donations and additional funds raised through event, donations and other entities, the Foundation assists communities to create free, quality public skateparks all over the United States.

THIS YEAR, Alberton was one of only eight towns and cities awarded a grant. The other awardees were Vernonia, OR; Laytonville, Calif.; Hazleton, Iowa; Meredith, N.H.; Keene, N.H.; Allentown, Pa.; and Portsmouth, Ohio. There were also four Built to Play Skateboard Grants. To date, the Foundation has awarded $9 million to create over 600 public skateparks in all 50 states.

“The skatepark grant program is creating recreational opportunities that weren’t previously available for young people,” said Built to Play Skatepark Manager Trevor Staples. “Not only are more public skateparks being developed, but local citizens, municipalities, and organizations are working together to help make a positive impact in young people’s lives.”

Hawk’s parents encouraged his interest in skateboarding at an early age. He was a hyper-active kids, it said on his biography on the Tony Hawk Foundation website, and they felt it was a good outlet for his excessive energy. Now in his forties, he is worth $120 million which includes his work as a professional skateboarder, actor, video games, and skateboard company, Birdhouse.

PEAK Foundation member, Jamie Odell, spoke to the Mineral Independent about the upcoming park plans. She said the idea came from a 2016 Community Health Improvement Plan or CHIP. In that survey is found there was a real problem in Mineral County with youth obesity and a lack of activities for area youth.

“This park is a great opportunity for kids and adults to get out and be more active,” said Odell. “It’s a place for families to go, bond at have fun, at no cost.”

In addition to the skate park, a new tennis court will be built as well as a six-foot wide asphalt walking path. The path will be a third of a mile and loop around the perimeter of the current town park. There are also a number of upcycles musical instruments being installed. A few are xylophones designed by the Alberton art class and created by Alberton resident, Matt Sibert.

A Parkour Course will also be built which is similar to an obstacle course that helps build body strength. The PEAK Foundation has received other grants for the renovation from a number of donors including $20,000 from the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation. They have also done several fundraisers, including the Annual Charity Masquerade Ball which will be held April 20 at the White Raven in Alberton.

THERE WILL also be a mask making workshop on April 7, and Purse Bingo on May 19. The group needs to raise $47,000 more in order to qualify for the Montana State Matching grant.

“We are hopeful that we will be able to raise the remaining funds by the first part of June,” Odell said.

The town park also has a swing set, giant tires, a baseball field, Frisbee golf (folf), and restrooms. All of those items will remain in place, except some of the folf targets may need to be moved. Currently, there are two tennis courts but they are in need of repair and run over a main water pipe. Therefore, the new one will be moved a few feet to the west.

The park will also have lights which will be turned off after 9 p.m. A warming hut which sits near the tennis courts will also be removed. Once complete, the town of Alberton will be responsible for the maintenance of the park and will also hold the park liability insurance.

There are only seven members on the PEAK Foundation board and some members. They will be looking for volunteers to help with park renovation in June. People interested in helping can visit their facebook page or website at thepeakfoundation.org.