A Grenora Young Go-Getter Rolls Out a Big Idea: A Skate Park for Everyone

Anytime I get to talk about Grenora, I jump at the chance, especially when it is fun or unique. I heard about this and thought the cause was just neat. Thirteen-year-old Dauson Iverson of Grenora, North Dakota, has a dream—and it’s not a small one. While most kids his age are thinking about new video games or what’s for lunch, Dauson has his eyes on something much bigger (and way more fun) for his hometown: a brand-new skate park.

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Grenora Teen Dreams Big: Safe Skate Park for Kids on the Horizon

Dauson, an avid skater himself, says a skate park would give kids a safe place to ride without worrying about vehicles or rough roads. Right now, Grenora doesn’t have a spot where kids can skate without weaving through traffic or dodging gravel. “It would be fun, and it would keep kids safe,” he says. And honestly, he’s right—if you’ve ever watched a kid attempt a kickflip in the middle of the street, your heart rate probably went up a little.

His love for the sport comes from his uncles in Colorado, who showed him the ropes and sparked a passion that’s only grown with time. Now, he wants to bring that same excitement back home.

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Grenora Skate Park Fundraising Rolls On: Homemade Treats and Big Dreams

But dreams—especially concrete skate park dreams—don’t come cheap. The projected cost for Grenora’s future hangout spot is estimated between $100,000 and $150,000. That’s a big number, but Dauson isn’t scared of a challenge. He and his family have already held two fundraisers, including a car wash that brought in $750. Not a bad start for a small town with a big heart.

And they’re not done yet. This Saturday, November 22, during the Light Up Grenora event, Dauson, along with his family and friends, will have a table full of homemade goodies for sale. If you want to support the skate park dream—and enjoy a treat while doing it—swing by and check it out.

Dauson says anyone can help by spreading the word, sharing Facebook posts, and cheering on the cause. A tentative location has already been secured, centrally located so the whole community can enjoy it.

With determination like Dauson’s, Grenora just might be rolling toward something amazing.