Transformation Project
Free Fall is partnering with the Quakertown Borough, local churches and businesses to transform the skate park and surrounding areas into a state-of-the-art Action Sports recreation and training facility that benefits our youth and the community at large. Completion of this project will provide an amazing place for youth of all ages to come together regularly and progress in their sport in a safe, positive and community-friendly environment.
This page provides a summary of the timeline and a video highlighting why it matters!
The current skate park was installed in 2003. By 2008 the Borough was struggling to manage the park, experiencing some incidents of vandalism and criminal mischief.
This is when the local churches and concerned community members stepped in to provide regular cookouts and competitions, working with the students to transform the atmosphere of the park.
Partnership with the Borough
In April 2011, Borough Council appointed the Quakertown Main Street Park Committee to explore ways to build on all the positive momentum and expand the Park.
In August 2016, the Borough Public Works department “broke ground” by relocating the current basketball courts, creating the room needed to expand the Park.
Funding to date
2017 was a year of incredible generosity, as partners from all sectors came together to raise over ¾ of a million in one year! Local church and business partners kicked off the initiative by raising $100k. In March, family business partners, Marcho Family, Bergey’s Auto Dealerships, and Hatfield Quality Meats, pledged $300k of matching funds needed to apply for the DCED and DCNR P.A. State Grants in April. Soon after, the Tony Hawk Foundation came on board with $10k and national attention. In December, we received confirmation that we were awarded $350k in P.A. State Grants! This totaled $760k and caped off an incredible year of funding momentum that was nothing short of a miracle!
Around this same time, Berks Ridge Company Enterprises came on board and donated 100% of their general contracting services to lead the construction of the Energy Center. They leveraged their working relationships and through the generosity of their subs, many of whom donated their efforts, and the addition of the Kenneth M. Carr Family Business Partner, the funding efforts launched well over 1 Million Dollars! Wow!! We always said it would take a miracle to pull this off, and the miracle is all the different partners coming around the table at just the right time. Go God!!
Current Initiative
Currently we are partnering with the Berks Ridge General Contractors and expect to break ground on Phase 1, the Free Fall Energy Center this summer! Check out our flyer here or donate through the Take Action link. Phase 2, the new skate park, is tentatively scheduled for Spring 2019. More info to come...
Why It Matters
This initiative is doing so much more than expanding a park, it’s changing lives! Check out Aaron’s story as he shares his inspiring story on why the skate park matters to him and his friends.