We recommend a footprint of 7,500 to 10,000 square feet not including parking lot and bathroom.

Size is measured by population and community demand. In 2024, the full-time population of the Methow Valley was 7,277 people. The part-time population was an additional 4,984 people. This makes our total population in 2024 roughly 12,261 people. Compare this to three other skateparks in our region and their current populations:

Omak (5,036) skatepark size: 6,000 sq-ft. 

Republic (1,069) skatepark size: 6,000 sq-ft. 

Leavenworth (2,569) skatepark size: 4,000 sq-ft.

 Yes. We have been working with Town and Parks and Rec since 2022. As of this March, the skatepark is part of the official Town of Twisp Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Plan.

NO tax levy. The skatepark will be funded exclusively by grants and donations from start to finish, including a fund specifically for routine maintenance, most of which can be accomplished by volunteers.

Liability for municipal projects is funded via a statewide pool of taxpayer dollars. A new municipal structure built in the state of Washington affects taxpayers across the state, but unless the project is massive (example: a new municipal airport) the tax increase is cents, not dollars.

Our choice builder, Grindline Skateparks Inc, quotes $85-$95 per sq-ft. At 10,000 sq-ft that’s $850k - $950K. If some materials and labor are donated by the community, the cost comes down. Basic infrastructure like parking and bathrooms brings it up to $2 million dollars. Our State Recreation and Conservation Office offers a $2 million grant every two years. The RCO Youth Athletic Facilities Grant, for example, has built many skateparks across WA state.

Yes, or it won't be built at all. Our choice builder is Grindline Skateparks Inc, based in Seattle. Grindline built Omak, Orcas Island, Republic, Leavenworth, Glacier, and Wenatchee skateparks. They’re also the foremost skatepark builder in the world.

NO. The skatepark is going to be on municipal land and 100% free to use.

Best case scenario: 2028. This depends on many factors, the first being a decision on location.

Features will be chosen by users in another community input session hosted by Grindline. It’s up to the people to define what they want to see (and skate) and Grindline is famous for designing parks that prioritize flow and user experience.

This is why we recommend a 7,500 - 10,000 square-foot structure. Progression is critical to good design, and space between those areas is critical to user safety.

The two parcels equal 1.72 acres or 74,923 square-feet.

The park is for all ages, skill levels, and all human-powered wheels (rollerskates, inline skates, scooters, BMX). It will be designed for progression with space between beginner and advanced areas.

No. Any sort of motorized vehicle (including electric) will not be allowed. Only human-powered.

 Dawn til dusk, same as a regular park.

We recommend this is determined in the design phase by community input. Lights are an asset, but not a necessity and could be added later.

Poured-concrete skateparks are often built in floodplains in lieu of other structures due to their resiliency. The park’s internal structure and types of reinforcements are based on soil plasticity, and differ depending on location and findings during geotechnical assessments.

After design and features are decided by users in the Grindline-hosted input session, next comes themes. Grindline is known for using colored concrete and incorporating skateable art in their designs. Top suggestions in the general interest survey back in January were murals by local artists, yellow jackets, salmon, and river-like features. We want this park to be something our whole community can be proud of. Our vision incorporates shade trees and islands of native plants in addition to art.

Same as any other public park. Putting the park somewhere visible and accessible is a key mitigation measure.

Spread the word. The more this project is on the community radar, the better. Once Council makes a motion/ resolution to approve the project in the decided location, we can begin applying for grants and fundraising. Until then any questions, concerns, or ideas please email us at twispskatepark@gmail.com 

Yes. This will come up a lot and in a lot of different ways, from fundraising support to physical skills and labor in the park’s construction. 

Yearly and biennial maintenance (re-sealing concrete and painting steel coping) will also be accomplished by volunteers.

No. Not until we have our location officially decided and on the books with the Town of Twisp. The Community Foundation of North Central Washington (CFNCW), has agreed to be our 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, meaning they’re providing us a secure and separate bank account for donations that we can track, but they do all the hard work (providing tax receipts for donors, general accounting, etc). They also requested we wait until our building location is official before we start accepting donations. Because this project is still in its infancy, the last thing we want is to have to give people their money back because it’s taking too long, or doesn’t happen.

Generally, No. When we issued the survey in Jan/Feb of this year, just 4 people out of 301 responders raised concerns about tax increases, which is irrelevant to this project. 

Needed maintenance of existing structures and projects in the Town of Twisp was a concern brought up, however, even by skatepark supporters. What other successful grassroots skatepark movements have done is create an independent fund and volunteer-team for the maintenance of the skatepark that’s separate from other municipal structures, and this our goal, too.

Beyond that, any opposition has been directly related to location. There are concerns about each individual area (wildlife corridors, crowding with other structures and uses, parking, noise affecting residents).