Lowe's recently played a pivotal role in helping two young skateboarders achieve their fundraising goal for a new skate park. The heartwarming story unfolded over several months, capturing the attention of locals and demonstrating the power of collective effort.
Garrett Colligan and Parker Campbell were two bikers who dreamed of building a safe and vibrant skate park in Stewartville, MN. Their vision was a space where skaters of all ages could come together. They organized fundraisers and went door-to-door collecting money, but progress was slow.
Lowe's, recognizing the potential impact of the skate park, pledged its support and awarded the project a Lowe's Hometowns grant. They provided materials, crew, and expertise to accelerate the construction process. Stewartville's Community Development Coordinator Sandra Dees believes Lowe's involvement breathed new life into Garrett and Parker's campaign, "The role that Lowe's played was phenomenal to the fruition of this project." Without the Lowe's grant, we don't think we would've brought this to life. They played a major role in a lot of the funding and even just the collaboration aspects with the Red Vest days. Having them out here and helping us plant plants and install different equipment was super important to the project."
On the first day of summer, Garrett and Parker officially cut the ribbon to open the skatepark. Their faces lit up as they dropped in on the freshly paved half-pipe. Lowe's associates stood proudly alongside them, celebrating the achievement. The skate park, outfitted with other amenities, is now a testament to community spirit. "The impact that this park will have on the community is so much more than just a skate park," said Bees. "It gives a reason for kids to be outside. It gives a reason for families to come to the park and celebrate, not only to skateboard but to scooter and ride bikes, and it gives them something to do outside so they don't have to be stuck inside on their tablets and video games."
Mayor Jimmie-John King was thankful for Lowe's stepping in to support Garrett and Parker's dream, "We didn't know Lowe's was going to step up with the major contribution they made with that Hometown's grant. Fulfilling the dreams of many children, young adults, and adults, as you see riding around in this community, they have a place to come together. This place has got kids down here all the time. There's no snow on it; there's kids on it. I'll tell you what: I've got two grandkids who live a couple blocks away. They spend a lot of time over here. They enjoy it just as much as anybody else."
Stay tuned for more heartwarming stories about the Lowe's Hometowns grants and the communities they benefit.
