Where Community and Adventure Meet with Wheels in Motion

In April 2022, a few Lakeview Rotary Club members gathered around a simple idea — what if our town had a skatepark? By the end of May, they stood before the Lakeview Town Council with survey results and community petitions in hand. The vision was clear: a safe, inspiring space where local youth could ride, connect, and belong. The Council agreed, and Rotary took the lead.

The path forward wasn’t without twists. A letter from the swim team raised concerns about the location. Some residents championed pickleball instead. Rotary listened, conducted additional surveys, and participated in community conversations until a consensus emerged. On February 16, 2023, the Town Council formally approved Rotary’s proposal for the downtown tennis court site — signing a five-year lease for $1.

By year’s end, Rotary had raised $22,000 and selected Dreamland Skateparks, known for their world-class designs. In November 2023, Dreamland’s team visited Lakeview to hear directly from residents about their hopes for the park.

Momentum built quickly. By mid-2024, Rotary’s fundraising topped $325,000. Volunteers cleared the site, removed dead trees, dismantled the cracked court surface, and secured rebar before prices rose. The project became a genuine community effort — neighbors, businesses, and supporters pitched in time, talent, and treasure.

Then came 2025 — the year dreams became concrete (literally). Rotary signed a $585,000 construction agreement with Dreamland, and on May 12, groundbreaking began. Just three months later, on August 9, local skaters tested the freshly poured bowls and ramps.

When the Wheels-In-Motion Skatepark officially opens on September 13, 2025, it will stand as the largest capital project in Rotary District 5110’s history — a symbol of what a small town with big ambitions can do when it comes together.

From that first conversation in 2022 to the first kickflip in 2025, this skatepark has been more than a construction project. It’s been a testament to Lakeview’s creativity, perseverance, and belief that every young person deserves a place to play, belong, and dream big.