LONGVIEW, Texas — Longview is set to build its first skatepark in 2020. Residents in the community have spent the past two years raising $40,000 for the funding of the new skatepark.
The skatepark is estimated to cost around $80,000.
"They set a goal of 80,000 dollars," City of Longview spokesperson Shawn Hara said. "City council said if they can raise 40,000 then the city will match 40,000 dollars."
The park will be at Ingram park where the tennis courts are currently located. The courts will be the foundation for the skatepark.
"I think with the people pushing it and the leadership backing it up, I don't know how else to say it, it melted my heart that people were so much about it," Longview resident Brian Dodson said.
After living in the Dallas area for several years, Dodson moved back to Longview in 2010. Now as a father, he wants his children to have what he didn't, a skatepark in Longview.
Brian Dodson grew up bike riding in Longview. As a child he would travel to other towns for their skateparks.
Dodson contacted the City of Longview's Director of Parks and Recreation, Scott Caron.
"They said they would love to have it but there's no funds for it, so this is going to be a community effort to make this happen," Dodson said.
With no funds for the skatepark, Dodson contributed the first donation. He then reached out to local businesses and held fundraisers.
Construction is set to start in February of 2020 and last four to six weeks.