Community Skatepark and Recreation Hub
Where Play, Movement, and Nature Meet
About the Project
The North Gower Community Skatepark and Recreation Hub Project is a community-driven initiative under the leadership of the North Gower Recreation Association. This project will transform an underused outdoor space into a safe, inclusive, and dynamic recreation area for youth and families in North Gower and surrounding areas.
The vision for this project is about much more than building a skatepark — the plans include a modern skatepark and pump track, but it also includes a walking path and fitness obstacles for all ages, all while addressing long-standing drainage challenges in the back field helping make the space usable throughout the year.
It will become a space where friendships form, confidence grows, and community thrives!
Current Plan & Design
In October 2023, our community came together around an exciting vision: a thoughtfully designed, modern skatepark and recreation hub that would serve youth, families, and riders of all ages in North Gower. The original concept plan reflected a bold investment in our community — with an estimated construction budget of $1,000,000.
That plan represented the very best version of what we hoped to build at the time.
What’s Changed Since 2023? Over the past several years, construction costs have increased significantly. A project that was estimated at $1 million in 2023 would require substantially more funding if tendered today.
At the same time, we are facing a critical reality: We have secured funding — but we must begin construction soon or risk losing it. Rather than delay the project further (and potentially lose the opportunity altogether), we have made a strategic and responsible decision to move forward by breaking the project into phases. This approach allows us to protect the funding we’ve worked so hard to secure, begin construction now, and build responsibly within a revised $600,000 Phase One budget.
Phase One will prioritize the elements that create the strongest foundation for the space and deliver immediate community impact. This includes field regrading and site preparation, construction of the skatepark, installation of a pump track, and the addition of a walking path to improve accessibility and connection throughout the area.
Fundraising Status
For nearly 10 years, the North Gower Recreation Association and dedicated volunteers have worked to make this vision a reality. Through Winter Carnivals, The Great Gower Runs, and generous personal donations, our community has already raised significant funds.
We are so close to meeting our fundraising goal but we are on a tight timeline! To date we have secured $210,000 in funding through City Councillor David Brown’s office and have already raised $130,000 through community efforts. Even more exciting — we have secured a matching grant through the City of Ottawa that will double our fundraising efforts up to $400,000. The catch? The matching grant expires in 2028, which means we must finalize donations and construction plans by February 2027.
We need to raise the remaining $65,000 to meet our Phase 1 goal of $600,000 by February 2027.
Join the Movement
This project belongs to the community. Whether you’re a business owner, a parent, a grandparent, or someone who simply believes in investing in a place for our community to get active— there’s a place for you in this effort.
How You Can Help:
We are actively seeking:
-
Corporate Sponsors: Partner with us to invest in youth, recreation, and community development. Sponsorship opportunities may include:
- On-site signage recognition
- Logo placement on promotional materials
- Social media recognition
- Naming opportunities (benches, features, etc.)
-
Community Donors: Individuals and families can make one-time or recurring donation, or donate in memory of a loved one to honour someone special by contributing to a legacy that will serve generations to come.
-
Volunteers and Advocates: Support fundraising efforts, help spread the word about the need for this park in North Gower, and review evolving plans to provide thoughtful input as we move into Phase One.
Let’s build it — together.