If all goes as planned, an empty field at Livingood Park will be transformed into the Elverson Skatepark, which will be open to people on skateboards, scooters, bikes and inline skates.

Funds to build the skatepark are being raised by Action-Impact of Elverson, a nonprofit Christian youth organization that was founded by the late Ron Pershall, and is currently being operated by his son, Dave Pershall. Action-Impact volunteers Justin and Jansen Horrocks, who are Ron's grandsons and Dave's nephews, are spearheading the project.

To help familiarize people with the projected Elverson Skatepark, a benefit gala will take place at Action-Impact on Saturday, Feb. 24, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Attendees will be able to enjoy finger food and refreshments while learning about the park. "We will be going over details of the park and how it will benefit the community and more," said Justin. "Jansen and I are going to explain what we are doing and why Action-Impact would love to build it and donate it to the borough."

"We will also have guest speakers that night, including someone who does a skateboard ministry, and the skatepark builder will speak," Jansen added.

According to Justin, it took about a year for the park to be approved by the borough of Elverson. "Jansen talked with the parks and recreation team. He expressed that he was interested in (building) a skatepark because people in the community seem to have an interest in that," said Justin, noting that Jansen has previously worked with skate ministries in the West Chester area. "Once we had approval from the borough, that is when Action-Impact got involved. I approached Dave Pershall and told him we were looking for a nonprofit willing to build the skatepark."

The skatepark will be constructed near the Route 82 entrance of the park where the tennis courts used to be located. "There were potentially two sites in the park; this was the preferred site," noted Justin. "The benefit of this is that since it had tennis courts, we don't have to do any water studies or environmental studies or do any leveling. It's already been used. All we need to do is come in and build it."

Since there are no overhead lights, the skatepark will only be open during park hours from dawn to dusk. "This will be a legit skatepark," said Justin, noting that it will be a concrete park and not one that is prefabricated. "The maintenance is lower, and it lasts longer."

"(Cement is) also quieter to skate on," Jansen pointed out.

"The design that we have is for all types of wheeled activities, whether it be a scooter, a bike, a skateboard or skates. We have people who were interested in using (it for) RC cars," Justin added. "It will be open for anyone to come and use."

The brothers got feedback from the community about the park, even going door-to-door to meet with local homeowners near the park. "We polled the community and held events," said Justin. "The community has largely been very supportive. There is a still a stereotype about skateboarders (but) it is going away from that. It is more of a sport. We are hoping that as it goes along, people will come around."

Jansen said that a lot of families with young children utilize the park's playground, but the skatepark would encourage even more visitors. "Beside the playground, there are not a lot of young people that use the park. It would be nice for teenage kids to use the skatepark and get outside," he said.

Jansen and Justin are both avid skateboarders, and they are excited to see the skatepark be built. "We will need about $85,000. If the funds get raised, we can build it," Justin said, noting that his son, Oliver, who will turn 2 in March, is already enjoying skateboarding with his father and uncle. "We take our skateboards with us wherever we go."

"Skateboarders are ambitious because we really enjoy it. We skateboard every day," Jansen added.

The upcoming benefit gala will take place in Action-Impact's youth ministry building, 80 Vickery Lane, Elverson. Admission is free, but donations will be received. To register for the event, email elversonskatepark@gmail.com. More information about the project is available at http://www.givesendgo.com/elversonskatepark and by searching for the Facebook event page, "Benefit Gala for the Elverson Skatepark."