OSBURN — The Silver Valley Skatepark Project is ready to accept donations as plans move forward for a new regional skatepark at Lions Park in Osburn. 

The project was launched in 2023 by Suzi Quincy, who opened her skate shop in 2022 and quickly began working to create expanded opportunities for youth. Quincy brought the idea to both the Wallace and Osburn city councils, each offering 10,000 square feet for consideration. With limited land available in Wallace, Lions Park ultimately emerged as the feasible site. 

The location sits just off the highway and connects to bike paths, giving skaters and families easy access from across the Silver Valley. 

“Skaters take what’s called ‘skate trip’ where you go from town to town, state to state even, hitting up all the skateparks along the way,” Quincy said. “There is a gap at the Silver Valley between the park in Superior, Mont., and Cd'A; the skatepark will bridge that gap.” 

The project has also gained support from Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament, known for helping develop skateparks across Montana. Ament reached out after learning the proposed site sits near the state border and told Quincy, “Hey, I got money on your park.” 

The park’s design is in collaboration with Evergreen Skateparks, with an estimated construction cost of $350,000 and a projected groundbreaking in 2028. Quincy said it was important that the final design serve skaters of all ages and skill levels.

For Quincy, the drive to build a skatepark stems from her lifelong connection to the sport. She said she fell in love with skateboarding as a child and rediscovered it in her early 20s after moving to Toledo, Ohio, where she met skaters who became “lifelong friends.” 

She described skateboarding as a worldwide family and said moving to the Silver Valley, where cracked sidewalks and long distances to the nearest skateparks limited access, pushed her and her husband to step in.  

“Big kids here have nothing to play on, and skateboarding doesn’t discriminate,” she said. “It’s all love.” 

Quincy said she has also secured future support from pro skater Darren Navarrette, owner of skate brand Skeleton Key, who has agreed to come up for a demo once the park is complete. 

Ament, she said, is “extremely down to earth” and offers advice when needed, noting, “He’s just a skater, family. It’s rad.” 

Donations to the Silver Valley Skatepark Project are accepted at Mountain West Bank under "Silver Valley Skatepark Project." Businesses and individuals are encouraged to contribute financially or assist with materials during construction. 

The Wallace Elks recently contributed $1,000 to the cause as part of a statewide community initiative through the Idaho Elks State Association. 

Info: Email Quincy directly at [email protected].