Light up the Park! Campaign

The Junior Friends of the Skatepark Committee (Avery Evans and Eli Fathelbab), are raising funds to install adequate lighting at the Schuyler Hamilton Jones Memorial Skatepark located on Duke Street in Alexandria, VA.  The committee established a fund, Light Up the Park! in conjunction with the City of Alexandria, to raise money for the installation of the lighting.

Both Avery and Eli live and skate in Alexandria and are students at the Alexandria Country Day School (ACDS). They grew up in Alexandria and love the city – except for one thing. Skateboarding opportunities are currently limited. They love the Schuyler Hamilton Jones Memorial Skatepark as it is home to an amazing 12,000 square foot space that is friendly, secure, multi-generational and in a great location.

While the park boasts modular equipment such as ramps, jumps, rails, pipes, and wedges it is woefully lacking in lighting. This means that optimal times for usage are limited especially in the fall and winter, when it’s already getting dark by the time kids are out of school. In the summer, kids skate in the evening when it is cooler but the lack of lighting poses safety risks.  

In a 2014 park survey, over 270 community members responded that lighting was their primary concern. While initial plans called for this for whatever reason it didn’t come to pass. We now have a chance to enhance the safety of our park, a gem in this city. 

The committee's goal is to raise $100,000 by the end of 2021 through private donations and this special public/private “partnership” with the City of Alexandria. The funds raised will pay for the installation of seven lights and solve the current problem. 

As an important friend of our city, your participation in our campaign would mean a great deal. We hope that you will consider a generous gift. All gifts are fully tax deductible and we plan to work with the city to arrange prominent onsite signage for sponsors and recognition in the press and social media.

We would welcome the opportunity to discuss our effort. If you have any questions, please contact us at SkateboardLights2021@gmail.com.