MN Skatepark Matching Grant Program
In May of 2023, MN State legislature passed the MN Skatepark Matching Grant Program. This new state program matches funds for community skateparks. $4 Million has been funneled into the program so far with hopes of more. Below are the Bonding Bill guidelines laying out the MN Skatepark Program.
Notable points:
State of MN will match local government skatepark funds up to $500,000-$1,000,000
State match includes land, necessary utilities and parking
Article 1 Sec. 7
10.22 Sec. 7. AMATEUR SPORTS COMMISSION - $ 4,000,000
10.23 (a) To the Minnesota Amateur Sports
10.24 Commission for grants to cities, towns,
10.25 counties, park boards, and school districts for
10.26 the planning and building of public skate parks
10.27 under Minnesota Statutes, section 240A.20,
10.28 subdivision 3, with the assistance of the
10.29 nonprofit consultant hired under paragraph
10.30 (b).
10.31 (b) Of this appropriation, up to $100,000 may
10.32 be used to hire a Minnesota nonprofit
10.33 consultant with expertise in public skate park
10.34 development to assist the commission in
10.35 developing and applying the criteria for
Article 1 Sec. 7. 10
HF670 FOURTH ENGROSSMENT REVISOR JSK H0670-4
11.1 awarding grants under Minnesota Statutes,
11.2 section 240A.20, subdivision 3.
Article 2 Sec. 7
Skatepark Grant Guidelines
64.1 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 240A.20, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
64.2 Subdivision 1. Definition. For purposes of this section, "skate" means wheeled,
64.3 nonmotorized recreation, including skateboarding, roller blading, and roller skating, and
64.4 BMX biking.
64.5 Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 240A.20, subdivision 3, is amended to read:
64.6 Subd. 3. Criteria for grants to local units of government for public skate parks. (a)
64.7 The commission shall administer a site selection process for the skate parks. The commission
64.8 shall invite proposals from cities or, towns, counties or, consortia of cities, park boards, and
64.9 school districts that are eligible to receive a grant under this program. A proposal for a skate
64.10 park must include matching contributions including in-kind contributions of land, access
64.11 roadways and access roadway improvements, and necessary utility services, landscaping,
64.12 and parking.
64.13 (b) The skate park must be accessible to the public without charge for personal use.
64.14 (c) The skate park must be constructed of concrete.
64.15 (b) (d) The location for all proposed facilities must be in areas of maximum demonstrated
64.16 interest and must maximize accessibility to an arterial highway, transit, or pedestrian or
64.17 bike path.
64.18 (c) (e) To the extent possible, all proposed facilities must be dispersed equitably, must
64.19 be located to maximize potential for full utilization, must accommodate noncompetitive
64.20 family and community skating for all ages, and must encourage use of skate parks by a
64.21 diverse population.
64.22 (d) (f) The commission will give priority to proposals that come from more than one
64.23 local government unit.
64.24 (e) (g) The commission may also use the money to upgrade, rehabilitate, or renovate
64.25 current facilities.
64.26 (f) (h) To the extent possible, 50 percent of all grants must be awarded to communities
64.27 in greater Minnesota.
64.28 (g) (i) A grant awarded under subdivision 2, clause (2), may not exceed
64.29 $500,000 unless the grantee demonstrates that the facility will have a regional or statewide
64.30 draw. A grant awarded undersubdivision 2, clause (2), may be for up to $1,000,000
64.31 for a skate park with regional impact. A grant awarded under subdivision 2, clause (2), may
Article 2 Sec. 7. 64
HF670 FOURTH ENGROSSMENT REVISOR JSK H0670-4
65.1 be for up to $2,000,000 for a skate park that has or will have more than
65.2 40,000 square feet.
65.3 (h) (j) In selecting projects to be awarded grants under this section, the commission must
65.4 give priority to those projects that are designated designed by experts in the field of concrete
65.5 skate park design and are to be constructed by professionals with experience in the
65.6 construction of concrete skate parks.
65.7 (i) (k) To be eligible for a grant under this section, a local government must have engaged
65.8 or must commit to engage youth in the planning, design, and programming for the concrete
65.9 skate park.
65.10 Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 240A.20, is amended by adding a subdivision to
65.11 read:
65.12 Subd. 6. Awarding a design-build contract. Notwithstanding section 471.345, cities,
65.13 towns, counties, park boards, and school districts may solicit and award a design-build or
65.14 construction manager at-risk contract for a construction or upgrade project funded under
65.15 this section on the basis of a best value selection process. The city, town, county, park board,
65.16 or school district must consider at least three proposals when awarding a design-build
65.17 contract under this section.
65.18 Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 240A.20, is amended by adding a subdivision to
65.19 read:
65.20 Subd. 7. Availability of funds. A grant of money from an appropriation under this
65.21 program is available to each grantee until the project that is the subject of the grant is
65.22 completed or abandoned, subject to section 16A.642.