The Ann Arbor Skatepark effort is alive and kick-flipping, here's a round up of some recent activity:

• Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark to Brief Council on Safety. The Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark will be providing a special presentation on safety and accessibility at the June 20 City Council Meeting. Safety has been expressed as a primary concern by members of the community during outreach efforts for the project and the group has been working with groups including the Ann Arbor Commission on Disability Issues to inform the upcoming design process. The meeting will be held Monday, June 20, at 7PM, is open to the public, and can be viewed live on public access cable channel 16.
• a2skatepark Street Team Bake Sale a Success!. The Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark is proud to announce that the Street Team youth volunteer corps of the group raised over $900 for the project at a bake sale held at Ann Arbor Brewing Co. on March 26, 2011. That's a lot of cupcakes! Proceeds from the event will go to the construction of a permanent skate park amenity proposed for Veteran's Memorial Park.
• Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark Awarded $5000 Grant From the Tony Hawk Foundation. Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark has received a $5,000 grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation. The Tony Hawk Foundation seeks to improve society, empower youth, and support non-profits and municipalities with the creation of public skateparks throughout the United States. Since 2002 the Tony Hawk Foundation has awarded 467 grants. In the Spring 2011 grant period, Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark was one of only fifteen groups to receive an award.
• Skatepark Effort Wins $1500 in "Sweet 15" Competition. The Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark received a $1500 award from the Bank of Ann Arbor's "Sweet 15" competition on May 13. Thanks to all who participated by voting for the project! The funds will go toward the construction of a permanent skate park amenity proposed for Veteran's Memorial Park.
• a2skatepark and City Collaborate on Government Grants. The City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation has agreed to collaborate on government grants with the Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark to help fund a permanent Skate Park amenity at Veteran's Memorial Park. To date, the partnership has applied for $300,000 in grant funding through government sources. According to Project Liaison Scott Rosencrans: "While we are still in need of substantial individual private donations, this provides an important additional avenue for fundraising for the project."