The campaign, called ‘360: Finish what we started,’ will add lights, shade and ensure the park can be maintained for several years.

By REBECCA LeFEVER Daily Record/Sunday News

York, PA – In the five years the Reid Menzer Memorial Skatepark has been open, it’s seen tens of thousands of visitors. But the park — already declared one of the best in the state by those who use it — will only get better with the “360: Finish what we started” campaign, announced Friday by the skatepark committee.

Committee member Eric Menzer lost his son, 14-year-old Reid Menzer, in 2006 when he was hit by a car while riding a street luge.

The park was created to provide a safe place for other youth in York County, Eric Menzer said. But when it was opened in September 2008, it was “really only 60 percent complete,” he added.

The committee hopes to soon change that.

For the past six weeks, they’ve been working behind the scenes to raise about $260,000 toward the $500,000 goal to finish the park by next spring.

The campaign is now open to financial contributions from the public and downtown businesses, as well as “in kindness” donations for those who want to volunteer.

“Reid’s friends were the first ones to raise money for the project,” Eric Menzer said. “We want those families to still have a sense of ownership with the park. No donation is too small.”

Menzer said the committee plans to work with businesses to have them donate a percentage of sales to the cause.

The renovations will enlarge the park by 35 percent, add lighting, and provide edge treatment for areas damaged by

erosion and overuse, according to a news release. It also will ensure the park is maintained for the nearly 20,000 visitors who use it each year.

Jon Gordon, owner of Exist Skate Shop and a member of the skatepark committee, said Saturday that skaters have reviewed the park, and it rivals top skateparks found in other states.

“When we didn’t have the park, it was like if a golfer didn’t have a golf course in York County,” Gordon said. “It’s something that was in high demand.”

The skatepark committee hopes to have all the funds raised by the end of the year and complete construction this spring. @ralefever; 771-2088

The skatepark

The Reid Menzer Memorial Skatepark is at Memorial Park, 941 Vander Avenue in York.

It is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

The park is for skateboards and inline skaters. Those interested in helping with the “360: Finish what we started” project can visit www.reidmenzermemorialskatepark.org  for details.