SHALL WE BREAK GROUND?
“The Board of Trustees has given the “green light” to Epworth UMC Skate Project to begin raising funds to replace the existing wooden ramps with a concrete bowl and other features.” This was the lead sentence for the Skate Project page since August of 2013.That was then… Fast forward… July 2014
The Board of Trustees has entered into a contract with Evergreen Skateparks to begin 
construction on the new Epworth Skate Park. Construction will begin on Monday, July 7. Construction is expected to take approximately 4-week. There will be a July 2014 SkateDay on the 13th using the existing equipment. Park designer Jesse Clayton will be there to talk about the progress and his design.
The Dedication and Grand Opening of the new Skate Park will take place at the August 24 SkateDay. New date, if your calendar says the 17th, please change it. Come join the fun with several live bands, special guests and celebrities, a blessing and dedication from the church pastors. Vendors will also be selling SK8 related items and food.
On Sunday, September 28 there will be a “SKATE, DON’T HATE” SkateDay with special guest Judy Shepherd, the mother of Matthew Shepherd, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming in October 1998. Mrs. Shepherd will be spreading the message of The Matthew Shepherd Foundation of seeking to “Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion, & Acceptance” through varied educational, outreach and, advocacy programs and by continuing to tell Matthew’s story.The first 100-SK8ers to register will receive special commemorative items.
Funds are still being solicited from individuals and businesses in the community at large. 
While Epworth UMC provides the “home” for the skate park, the funds for design and construction will be provided by donations from the greater Rehoboth community. A community-based group is responsible for planning and funding the park which will be open to the community for free.
Below are the preliminary conceptual designs of the plans for Epworth Skate Project.
Working with skate park designer, Jesse Clayton, owner of Fifth Pocket Design, a plan was designed that includes transition and street elements. Jesse has since become affiliated with Evergreen Skateparks and will continue to oversee our project with Evergreen being the contractor. Evergreen has built skate parks around the world with the Modiin Israel Skate Park being one of their most famous at 30,000 square feet.
The funding goal is $75,000 and efforts are underway. Donations may be made through the church which makes them tax deductible as the laws allows, as this is a Capital improvement to the Epworth property. Proceeds for the Epworth SK8DAYS go toward the fund as well. If you are interested in donating you may do so by sending a check to the church office and write SK8park in the memo line. If you would like for your gift to be acknowledged, please print and return a Donor Form to the church office. You may also call Darlene Ford (302.227.7743 x122) in the church office to make a donation via credit card or via PayPal.
The Park… in the News
FUNDRAISING EVENTS/PROGRAMS…
Fundraising for the Skate Project at Epworth is in full swing… Donations from individuals and businesses are coming in and events are being planned. We are so grateful for the generous support we are receiving! To read more about the project take a look at the Donor Pack by CLICKING HERE. We welcome all donations. None are too big or too small. Every penny counts. We appreciate every single donation. If you have any questions about donating, contact Susan Selph at 302.245.6193.
In the home stretch…The Skate Project has raised over $60,000 since August!! We could not be more grateful to Epworth for this opportunity and to our community for embracing and supporting or effort. Construction is slated to begin in December, some of the demolition work of the old wooden structure has already begun.
BUY-A-BRICK… An area of the new Skate Park is being developed where a brick path will be installed. BUY-A-BRICK and be a permanent part of the park at Epworth. Bricks are $150 each and all the information you need is right here.
UPCOMING SKATING EVENTS:
Check back often as more fundraising events are added as soon as we book them.
And when you visit one of the hosts who are about to or have already hosted a fundraiser please be sure to mention that you are also a supporter of the Skate Park or a skater and thank them. They love knowing that their contribution has been noticed and is appreciated. We love our supporters.
If you are interested in helping in our fundraising efforts by hosting a fundraising event please contact Susan and she will be happy to discuss this with you.
THE CONCEPT…
Once we hit our funding goal and the plan receives final approval from Epworth, we will begin construction. More details very soon!
MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS
THANK YOU ! ! !
MORE IN THE NEWS…
SEPT 9… Wilmington NewsJournal reports on the Epworth Skate Project – FRONT PAGE – Click here – then search “epworth” in the News section (sorry, they don’t allow direct links) and be sure to watch this video…
About The Park…
Epworth hosted its first Skate Day in June of 2008. Using borrowed and donated equipment, the parking lot was converted into a “skate park” for the day. Local surf and skate shops supported the event and set up booths. The first event was so successful that 
Skate Day became a biannual event at Epworth with one in June, as close as possible to Go Skateboarding Day on June 21, and another one in the fall. Graphic artist, Paul Carpenter designed t-shirts and posters especially for Skate Days.
The events evolved to include skate contests with
prizes provided by Liquid Board Shop, Alley Oop, Sierra Moon Surf & Skate, East of Maui and Rehoboth Surf Shop. Skaters come from all over lower Delaware and Maryland. The average number of skaters at any given Skate Day is around 60. They range in age from 5 to over 40, with their expertise as varied as their ages. To see more pictures of our events, check us out on FaceBook: Skate-Epworth.
In the spring of 2012, a group of adult skaters came to Epworth with a desire to expand the opportunities for the skating community. Epworth UMC Skate Project was born. In May of 2012 we hosted our first-ever fundraiser at The Big Chill Surf Cantina. The event generated enough funds to expand and 
resurface all of the existing ramps. The number of Skate Days doubled from two to four and live music could be found at most. Members of the Skate Project continue to maintain the current area and plan for the future.
The ramps and equipment in Epworth’s parking lot are in use every day that weather permits. It is, in essence, the local skate park. Epworth’s skate area is open to everyone who wants to use it responsibly. If you use the park, it is a “skate at your on risk” agreement for which Epworth allows you to use it.
Epworth United Methodist Church 19285 Holland Glade Road Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 302.227.7743