For the Love of Skateboarding
In early September, The Skatepark Project held a Back to School gear giveaway and event at The Brooklyn Banks in partnership with the Super Skate Posse, Vans, Gumball 3000 Foundation, and community-based group Gotham Park!
One hundred kids received free skateboards, helmets, Vans shoes, and tote bags filled with fun items and school supplies. The day featured skate lessons from pros, yoga for skaters, and a whole lot of stoke.
The Skatepark Project recently met up with Bombette Martin at the Pier 62 Skatepark in Chelsea, NYC to hear her favorite things about skateboarding. From the freedom to the community, or just a way to have fun and express yourself. “Something good comes out of every interaction you get from skateboarding”
TSP recently met up with Katon Black at Roderick Sawyer Skatepark in Hyde Park, Chicago, IL to talk about the importance of public skateparks and the impact they have on youth and so much more!
“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.
To learn more, please visit: skatepark.org
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.
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!
Learn more about the TSP Fellowship Program HERE.
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!
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.
Michie Bursco gives you the rundown for The Skatepark Project.
In this skatepark stories, local NY skater Jiro Platt talks about growing up in the lower east side of New York City and the important role public skateparks play in providing individuals a place to meet up with friends and practice their craft.
LES Skatepark is Jiro’s home park where he recently met up with TSP’s Executive Director and other TSP staff, to do an interview for a New York Times article.