“Do what you love, and it’ll come right back to you” – Joel Popoteur
Check in with Joel Popoteur at his local skatepark, 181 in Washington Heights, NY. He shares the impact skateparks had on him and other skaters in his community. Follow along as he recounts his first experience at a skatepark and how these spaces helped expand his view of the world.
Local skaters and advocates worked tirelessly for years to generate the momentum and support needed for the creation of a public skatepark in their town.
Antonello Terran and Skate Essex led the charge and shared the vision for the needed amenity working with the city and obtaining a TSP grant. As the stars aligned, professional skateboarder, Olympian and architect Alexis Sablone was brought in to make this space truly unique.
Check out the opening day festivities and learn from Alexis about how each of these playful and accessible obstacles came to be. Learn more about how to get a skatepark built in your town at www.skatepark.org.
The Skatepark Project isn’t just committed to supporting the creation of public skateparks, it’s working to promote greater access to outdoor recreation, free play, and community building which has been shown to benefit physical and mental health and well-being.
Free public skateparks are a long-term, low-maintenance solution for fostering active, happy, and purposeful youth. These recreational facilities provide a space for kids to connect and enjoy the sport they love while learning essential life skills, like determination and resilience.
As the champion of quality public skateparks, The Skatepark Project is a trusted resource for guidance, financial support, and information essential for building technically sound skateparks that serve the unique needs of each community and prioritize the input of youth advocates, skatepark users, and community members.
In the wake of Tyre Nichols’ murder earlier this year, community has come together in record-time to do great things in his name. His local Sacramento skatepark is being rebuilt with his designs and named in his honor.
Because of Tyre’s infectious energy and impact, his community will have an amazing space to skate for decades to come. Thanks to Grassroots Law Project, Tyre Nichols Foundation, Tyre’s close friends and family, City of Sacramento, Council member Lisa Kaplan’s office, Vans, CA Skateparks and everyone who helped make his dream park a reality!
To learn more about the Tyre Nichols Memorial Fund to support this park and another in Memphis, TN being built in his honor click HERE.
The Warm Springs Skatepark, located in the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, OR is a true example of the power of community efforts to rebuild the only skatepark in the Warm Springs area.
The existing park on the reservation was unsafe and inadequate for the community and in such disrepair that local kids had been hitchhiking to the nearest skatepark, which was miles away and outside of the reservation. With new elements added to the cherished skate spot, the refurbished park will provide indigenous youth with a safe space to be active and build community around the sport of skateboarding.
THE DEEP REST TOUR is the natural continuity of John’s mission to shine a light on suicide and mental health awareness within the skate community, started in 2021 with his documentary This Too Shall Pass.
In it, John opens up about his own mental health struggles and experiencing suicidal thoughts. John talks about how he uses meditation, breathing, and skateboarding to help deal with depression.
In spring 2023, John is coming to Europe with DCSHOES European riders to meet with the skate community in France, Spain and, the U.K to share his own experience and give tools and tips to help manage mental health.
Thank’s to all the skateshops for your welcome, and people for your good vibes.
Last week, the Sheckler Foundation and Ryan Sheckler celebrated the 11th annual Skate for a Cause on Go Skateboarding Day. Raising over $30K, there were 2 fun ways to participate in the family friendly fundraising event. Skaters, family, friends and sponsors were encouraged to create a team to raise funds and awareness of the Sheckler Foundation and programs that better lives through skateboarding.
In January 2022, TSP hosted the Fellowship Program cohort for their first program retreat in San Diego, CA. The advocacy training and project design program aims to build more knowledgeable, diverse, and equipped skatepark advocates, designers, and programmers and has already helped our first group of 12 fellows make a positive impact in the social skate space.
The trip allowed the fellows to connect in person and see firsthand what it takes to create and maintain quality community skate spaces. Listen in to learn more about the program, the fellows, and their skatepark advocacy journey to date!
Following the murder of Tyre Nichols, hundreds of requests were received to honor Tyre’s life and legacy by creating a skatepark in his name. Please visit TyreSkateparkMemorial.com to learn more about the Tyre Nichols Memorial Skatepark Fund and to show your support!
Santa Cruz Skateboards is fortunate enough to partner up with Skate-Aid. An organization that brings the fun and excitement of skateboarding to kids around the globe. In this short film you see the incredible transformation of a war struck city that was introduced to skateboarding.
Check out The Skatepark Project’s most recent Skatepark Stories with Matt Pasini sharing their experiences learning to skate and finding community and a sense of belonging at a #skatepark.
Evan Breder’s line from the Grind for Life Contest at St. Petersburg Skatepark for this Nugg of the Week. Submit your NOTW by #SkateNugg on Instagram or emailing us at skatenugg732@gmail.com for your chance to be the next!
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