Henning Parks Are Skating Along

By Missy Hermes 

With a bold grant proposal submitted to the Blandin Foundation, residents in Henning have developed a plan to revamp their parks and fairgrounds, attracting visitors to town and enhancing recreation for local residents. The centerpiece of this $65,000 Leadership Boost Grant is construction of a state-of-the-art skateboard park on the Henning fairgrounds. 

A committee wrote the successful grant which was awarded in October of 2022. The Blandin Foundation grant specifies that rural towns of under 3,000 people may apply and Henning fits the bill. The city will use the capital funding to purchase equipment for the 50’ x 100’ skateboard park while they look for additional resources for the concrete pad and labor. Volunteers and local businesses will be instrumental in fundraising to make the skate park a reality. 

Community participation has a long history in Henning. Amundson Park, near the future skate park, is named after longtime city clerk and city assessor, Philip Amundson. His son, Lloyd Amundson, purchased the property and developed the park, donating it to the City of Henning in 1985. He continues to play an integral role in funding park expansion. An historical marker in the park denotes Amundson’s generous gift. 

The MN Department of Natural Resources planted trees in the park and young people in Henning nurtured the trees that thrive in the park today. Members of the Henning Lions Club built the picnic shelter and created the first recreational amenities there for playing horseshoes and volleyball. Since then playground equipment and a disc golf course have been added. 

Planners envision additional basketball courts and dual tennis/pickleball courts. Further upgrades will increase parking, lighting, walking paths and access to bathrooms. Residents of Henning are skating into the future!