BOERNE, Texas – Youngsters at Roy Maas' Youth Alternatives Meadowlands could be getting an early Christmas gift, a brand new skate park.
A young man had an idea a few weeks ago about getting a skate park for the property. He has been skateboarding for a little over a year.
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"(I) always thought about a skate park we could have here," said the 15-year-old.
The children who want to skateboard have to use an old tennis court to do so.
"We just have this old tennis court that they do their skate boarding on. We put one rail on it for them, but it's just not enough," said Renee Garvens, director of community and donor relations of Roy Maas' Youth Alternatives.
"There is a lot you can do to boost your confidence when you actually land on something that is really hard. You can kind of feel good about yourself," said the young man.
At first, Garvens had to know how serious the teen and his friend were about wanting the park. After a meeting, she had them write a paragraph about wanting the park.
"One of the kids said I have to get back to you, because I really want to put some thought into it. Pretty much that sentence right there made me go, 'Okay, this is serious. This is something they really want,’” Garvens said.
Fundraising was put in motion. The teens printed up posters to put at various parks around town. They put together a website, and the boys even planned fundraisers like car washes.
The teens also hit social media hard. The community then started coming together with donations. The word about a potential skate park also reached a particular community.
"There is a whole world of skateboarders out there who really stepped up," Garvens said.
Dandy Land Tattoos gave $1,000 and then brought Paul Francis into the picture. Francis is the co-owner of the Alta Vista Skateshop downtown.
"After finding out what they have gone through, it's just something you have to get involved in and help them out," Francis said.
Francis donated skateboards and accessories. He also got the word out to other skateboard businesses, and they are willing to help out so that any boy or girl who wants to be able to get a board will be able to.
"I know that not all of the kids are involved in skateboarding, but were going to change that," Francis said.
More youngsters will be able experience the excitement of riding on four wheels and performing some of those fun, possibly dangerous tricks.
"The danger is there, but I think the fun part overpowers the danger," said the 15-year-old who came up with the project.