04/29/2026
Great news! We have just received a pledge for $27,500 in matching funds from Jon Severson. We are in the home stretch and only have $55,000 left to raise to fund all phases of the skatepark prior to our June 15th construction start date. So with this matching donation, all of your giving with have double the impact. Please help us reach this final milestone!
Below is a letter from Jon Severson explaining his reasoning for his generous donation.
Back in the mid 1980s I got into skateboarding and soon after Terry Witt built a half pipe for us
to skate out in our neighborhood. Even put a vending machine in with 25 cent a can sodas. It’s
gave us a place to go and hang out. It brought kids from in town out to us as well as other
neighborhoods that seemed far away at the age of 12. It’s a place where I made friends that I
still have strong ties to to this day and im 51 now.
It was a positive environment. One that taught me the value of getting back up after a fall. An
environment that encouraged you to try, even if you weren’t all that great so long as you were
trying that’s all that mattered. Only giving up was shunned. That’s an important lesson to learn
at a young age.
That environment and those friends had a huge impact on who I am today. Talk anyone who
was apart of that crowd then and they’ll tell you the same. Many whom became great at the
passions and careers they pursued for the same reasons.
In college I’d meet people who’d visited the ramp even when they were in high school. Some
even asked me if I ever skated the Witt ramp when they learned I was from Winona. That
experience I had following me and helping me create new friendships long after I stopped skate
boarding.
Even out here in Colorado Springs I’d meet professionals who once skateboarded. Guys with
fancy offices with skateboard decks hanging on the walls. Places you didn’t expect such. The
experience again followed and helped me grow.
I also saw how when Colorado Springs built a proper skate park not only did it get some old
guys out skateboarding and gave kids a place to skate, it also brought new travelers to town.
Even big name pros. People who came back again and again. Travelers not tourists, people
who came back again and again because of the culture not just the park itself.
Which is why I’m doing a matching challenge to ensure the second phase of the skatepark
expansion gets completed this year. Not only do I see the value of the next gen of Winonans
having a place to experience what we once did, but because it’s something that will bring
travelers of all ages back to Winona for years to come.
I’m also doing this in memory of all whom I met because of the ramp our youth. People who
came to skate to the people who came because it was a fun scene to be apart of. Made us who
we are. And a reminder of the value of such positive long term friendships and support. And
last, in honor of Terry Witt who had the foresight to see the value of such back then….and the
value of one parent can have to make a difference in our lives.
While no one parent will fund this competition, at least they’ll know that whatever they can
donate will be matched equally. Also to even encourage the kids who would like to see this
happen, you give even $5 it is gonna turn into $10. Every bit helps. And everyone can be apart
of it’s completion.
I have no doubt whatsoever that having such a skatepark will not just benefit kids for decades to
come and teach them valuable lessons, but will also bring people of all ages to my beloved
home town as well.
Together we’ll make a difference.
Sincerely,
Jon Severson
Help Winona build a free skate plaza and multi-use community space! Your donations wil… Zach Krage needs your support for Winona Skatepark & Community Plaza
