HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2016-08-25 Keep Cool and Skate On
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Betsy Arnett, Public Information Officer
barnett@leesburgva.gov 703-771-2734
“Keep Cool and Skate On” Crowdfunding Campaign Aims to
Provide Shade Structures at New Catoctin SkatePark
Through the NRPA’s Fund Your Park platform, the Town hopes to raise $40,000
by September 24, 2017.
Leesburg, VA (August 25, 2016) – The Town of Leesburg will be replacing the existing Catoctin
SkatePark later this year, but there is no funding to provide shade structures or spectator
seating at the park. Enter the National Recreation and Park Association’s Fund Your Park
crowdfunding site. With the help of a group of creative park staff members, the Leesburg Parks
& Recreation Department created a fun and quirky video, demonstrating the benefits of shade
structures, to accompany the campaign.
“After the NRPA notified us that the skate park project had been approved for the site, the staff
viewed some videos other campaigns had used, but thought they were too formal,” said Kate
Trask, Leesburg’s Deputy Director of Parks & Recreation. “So they took an entirely different
approach, wanting to do something fresh and catchy. I loved seeing how staff approached the
project and how excited they were about making the video. We’re already looking at other
video projects they can do.”
The staff members involved in creating the video were Jeanne Joy, Jared Haley, Dylan Merhaut,
Jonathan Knockett, Barb Smith and Ashton Echols. You can view the video (and donate to the
crowdfunding campaign) at www.fundyourpark.org/campaign/detail/4714.
The Catoctin SkatePark project was chosen to be featured on the Fund Your Park crowdfunding site
through a competitive application process with the National Recreation and Park Association
(NRPA). Fund Your Park is a crowdfunding platform designed by NRPA exclusively for park and
recreation agencies.
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to
advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people.
Through its network of 50,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the
promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and
public space. For more information, visit www.NRPA.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship
publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.
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