During the meeting, it was highlighted that the skate park has been a top priority for the Parks and Recreation Department, second only to new play equipment at Rambling River Park. The community has shown a strong desire for a local skate park to prevent youth from needing to travel to other cities for skating, scootering, and biking activities. The DNR’s outdoor recreation program offers matching grant funds up to 50% of the total project cost, making it a viable funding option for the park’s development.

The council expressed confidence in the project’s success this time, emphasizing the importance of community support and involvement. Plans include public engagement sessions to gather input from future users of the park. The city aims to submit a revised application by February 28th, incorporating feedback from the previous year’s attempt. If successful, funding announcements are expected in the summer, with project completion required by June 2027.