Skatepark Approved For Hoyt Park

During the regular City Council meeting at the beginning of June, the Glasgow City Council unanimously voted to build a new skatepark in Hoyt Park, which is the park where the new swimming pool is currently under construction at and next to Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital. The skatepark would be placed approximately 25 feet from the swimming pool in the southwest corner of Hoyt Park.

During the meeting Tess Fahlgren, president of Siding 45,who has been in charge of spearheading the addition of a skatepark in the city of Glasgow, presented the design.

The park is being designed by Evergreen Skateparks and will be about 5,000 square feet, about 100 feet across, of concrete in a circular shape with a green space in the center. As a result of the green space, the hope is to be able to connect to the existing sprinkler system that’s already in the park to be able to water the green space.

“Even though the square footage is similar to the skatepark in Malta, ours will feel larger because of the donut design,” Fahlgren told the Courier.

After hearing Fahlgren’s discussion on the design, Mayor Rod Karst asked those in attendance if there was anyone against the skate park being located in Hoyt Park and according to Fahlgren the council chambers was quiet as no one expressed opposition to the location.

Council member Stan Ozark then proceeded to motion to locate the skatepark in the southwest corner of Hoyt Park, according to the design presented but it’s contingent on the approval of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Glasgow and Siding 45 being approved by the city council. The motion was seconded by council member Brian Austin and carried unanimously.

As of press time, the MOU between the City of Glasgow and Siding 45 is still currently in negotiations with a draft being reviewed by both the City Attorney and the attorney for Siding 45, Dave Irving. The MOU is an agreement to set terms, conditions and responsibilities of both parties associated with the construction, maintenance and end of life of the skatepark.

According to Fahlgren, the Evergreen Skateparks recommend sealing it every couple of years, which materials cost about $600, and then after 20 years or so, if the cracks in the concrete are wide enough to inhibit use, they should be crack-chased and sealed.

“We are so happy, relieved and excited to have our location and design confirmed by the City Council. We are extremely grateful to them for making the decision to finalize our location. David Irving, who volunteered to donate his time as our lawyer, has been an invaluable resource. Thank you to our board, volunteers, and everyone who showed up at the meeting, including lots of kids who probably found it to be very very boring! Thank you!,” reflected Fahlgren to the Courier after the decision was made.

The skatepark is being paid for entirely by donations. Siding 45, a nonprofit, has been fundraising to pay for the entirety of the skatepark and then will donate the park to the City of Glasgow. Now that a location has been approved, the Siding 45 committee can now continue to move forward.

In the middle of June, they announced a generous donation of $50,000 was received from the Montana Skatepark Association (MSA). In order to make the skatepark the best it can be, the committee wanted to raise another $40,000 to reach $200,000 before the completion of construction. When providing the Montana Skatepark Association with the news of the approved location, they agreed to help surpass the goal.

In a statement, MSA expressed, “The MSA is committed to improving rural outdoor spaces through building world-class skateparks and connecting youth in communities throughout Montana in the process. Having supported funding, design, and construction of over 30 skateparks in Montana’s rural and native communities for over 20 years, we have seen firsthand the community benefits and revitalization that arises through construction of these parks and look forward to lending our expertise and experience to the town of Glasgow”

“The MSA is proud of the contributions we have made to skateboarding throughout Montana for over two decades. In every community that we have supported via a free, concrete, public skatepark there has been a positive impact to the lives of those who choose to take advantage of the facility. Additionally, beyond just creating better skateboarders, the parks have blown the doors wide open to those seeking an outlet for their creativity, independence, burgeoning self-confidence, and overall physical and mental well being. We look forward to impacting these kinds of positive changes in your community.”

Currently in that location of Hoyt Park, there is exercise equipment that would have to be removed in order for the skatepark to start construction. During the meeting in June, Mayor Karst introduced and offered for adoption Resolution No. 3166 – A Resolution to Adopt and Allocate Funds for an Outdoor Fitness Court as part of the 2025 National Fitness Campaign. Mayor Karst explained that it will be a 38 x 38 area of fitness equipment, with a rubber surface and be used based off of weight resistance. The total cost of the new equipment will be $120,000 with a grant already received for part of the cost and other avenues are being explored to finance the rest of the project. The current exercise equipment will be removed and the new equipment will be relocated to a different area of Hoyt Park.

“At a skatepark, people of all ages can come together to skateboard, ride scooters, roller skate or roller blade. It’s a fantastic option for kids who don’t play organized sports as well as those who do. It’s free to use and all the necessary elements are inexpensive and accessible. We know this will be such an amazing addition to our community and we are so grateful to have achieved this important milestone,” said Fahlgren.