Their Stories. Our Future.
Every story represents the power of movement, belonging, and opportunity.
Read how gymnastics, recreation, and community have shaped lives—and why
The Landing matters for the next generation.
We would love to hear your story! If you would like to share your experience with gymnastics, recreation, or explain how you believe The Landing will positively impact our community, please complete the form below. Your story may help inspire others to support this important project.
"Gymnastics helped shape me into the person I am today. It taught me resilience, perseverance, discipline, and the value of hard work. Through the sport, I learned how to accept feedback, overcome challenges, and contribute both as an individual and as part of a team. I was fortunate to have incredible coaches and teammates who became lifelong mentors and friends. However, we didn't have access to many of the modern training tools available today, such as strap bars, foam pits, and tumble tracks. Having those resources would have strengthened my skills, increased my confidence, and made training even safer and more rewarding. It is exciting to know that athletes of all ages in the Park Rapids area will soon have access to the equipment, coaching resources, and opportunities they need to develop skills safely and confidently. This new facility will not only help build stronger gymnasts—it will help shape stronger, more resilient young people for generations to come."
Amber Higgins, Class of 2000
"As a current gymnast at Park Rapids High School, right now, whenever I want to work on bigger skills, I have to travel to other towns just to use their foam pits. It adds extra time and planning to an already busy schedule, and it means we don't always have access to the training tools we need. Having a foam pit in our new facility would let us safely learn new skills, build confidence, and progress without having to leave our own community. It would give athletes in Park Rapids the same chances that gymnasts in other towns already have. A foam pit isn't just something fun to have—it's a huge part of training safely and helping our program continue to grow."
Karlee, Current Athlete
"Thirty years later, three of my four closest friends are women I met through gymnastics. The friendships, memories, and life lessons I gained from the sport have stayed with me far longer than any competition score or medal ever could. While I am grateful for my time in gymnastics, most of the advanced skills I learned had to be trained in facilities outside of Park Rapids. Gymnastics has evolved significantly over the years, and many of today's skills require specialized equipment to be taught safely and effectively. Skills such as giants, release moves, twisting elements, double saltos, and advanced vaults are typically introduced using equipment like recessed strap bars, foam pits, and other modern training systems designed to reduce risk and build athlete confidence. Even 30 years ago, the Park Rapids facility was limited in its ability to support advanced training. Today, it continues to serve young children well as an introduction to the sport, but it lacks the equipment and space needed for gymnasts to safely progress to higher levels. As a result, many athletes must travel elsewhere to access the resources necessary for advanced skill development. The Landing will change that. This new facility will provide local athletes with the modern equipment, safe training environment, and opportunities they need to grow—from their very first cartwheel to their most advanced skills. More importantly, it will create a place where lifelong friendships, confidence, perseverance, and community can flourish for generations to come."
Beth Haukebo, Class of 1998
"I'm writing as a former Panther gymnast who got to grow up in our program, and now as a mom who understands just how much investing in our kids matters. I want to share what gymnastics did for me, and what I know a real gymnastics center could do for the children of this community. Here's my story: I was a shy kid. Unsure where I fit in until I discovered sports. I remember how nervous I was on my way to my first gymnastics class. My mom put me in because I had so much energy, but then I stepped into that gymnastics room and something clicked. The energy became focused. I remember feeling like a superhero bouncing on the floor, swinging on the bars, walking on the beam. There was magic in that space. As I grew older, that feeling evolved into something deeper. What that program taught me went way beyond flips and tricks (though I learned plenty of those too). It taught me that the things worth having in life don't get handed to you. You work for them. You keep working when it's hard, when you mess up, and when you want to quit. Gymnastics tested me in more ways than I can count, and to be honest, I'm grateful for it. It built my character. Because of that determination, that willingness to show up and try again, it set me apart as an adult and created work opportunities that wouldn't have been available to me otherwise. But gymnastics also gave me something unspoken and perhaps more important: a safe place to be myself. A space where I could be creative, perform, mess up, and try again without fear. Coaches saw what I was capable of and held me accountable to it, while also coaching me in ways that best suited me as a young individual. I was part of a community that believed in me, and that made all the difference. That belief changed everything. Look at Bemidji and Detroit Lakes. They built dedicated gymnastics centers where their programs not only improved, but they transformed. Those centers proved something important: when communities come together to invest in real facilities, kids get real opportunities. The talent that develops, the kids they are able to reach, the legacy being built, it's not luck. It's what happens when a community says yes to something bigger than the status quo. I'm asking Park Rapids to say yes, and not just for the athletic opportunities. I’m asking for the shy kids. For the kids who are hungry to be more than mediocre. For the kids who need to find their thing and know they have a place to do it. For the kids who need an adult to believe in them. For the kids who need to learn that hard work actually means something. Imagine what Park Rapids Panther Gymnastics could be with a real home. A place that's actually ours, built for legacy."
Kyja Schjenken, Class of 2010
"Gymnastics shaped my childhood, opening the door from a cramped little room into a world of confidence, friendship, and possibilities. It gave me teammates who became lifelong friends—people I can still laugh and connect with easily, even nearly 30 years later. Gymnastics taught me the value of hard work in the most tangible way. In this sport, you can watch small improvements grow into incredible skills through dedication and practice. Success isn't handed to the tallest, fastest, or strongest athlete—it is earned by showing up, working hard, and building ability step by step. Along the way, I gained strength, agility, and flexibility that continue to benefit me in everyday life, long after the medals and competitions ended. But what I remember most is the joy—the feeling of flying, the excitement of trying again, and the pride that comes from mastering something you once thought was impossible. Your donation will help replace an aging, overcrowded space with a facility where more children can be safe, supported, and inspired to discover that same joy. The lessons they learn there will stay with them long after they leave the gym, carrying confidence, perseverance, and determination into the rest of their lives."
Angela Haukebo, Class of 1998
Share Your Story
Your Story Matters
Please share your stories with us. How did the gymnastics program impact you, and how can The Landing project help our current and future athletes? Also share how The Landing project with Heartland Lakes Gymnastics and P3 Adventure Park could impact our community and your family.