Charlotte skaters say it’s ‘about time’ as county spends $6.9 million on new skate parks
Dozens of skaters wheeled around Grayson Park Friday hoping that Mecklenburg County’s plans would become reality.
On one side, a group of young women roller-skated, recording videos of each other going down the half pipe. On the other, a father and his two sons practiced skateboarding, cruising along the concrete. Off in the corner, one solo skater worked on mastering his craft while practicing tricks.
It may not be long before several spots like it pop up around the county.
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation plans to invest $6.9 million to create new skate parks and improve the existing one in Renaissance Park. The money comes from the $4 billion capital improvement plan through 2028 approved June 6 by county commissioners.
The investment comes after Eastland Skate Park, a popular do-it-yourself park, was demolished in 2022. In its place, the city, county and developers are putting residential units, a park and considering options that could include a concert venue or sports facilities. Many skaters say they are disappointed by the move.
“(Skateboarders) have a huge community that was kind of ripped away from them when Eastland shut down,” Melissa Gunter said while roller-skating with friends.
The only two public skate parks in Charlotte are Grayson Skate Park in southeast Charlotte and Renaissance Park in southwest Charlotte. Both are owned by Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation. Other than that, many skate on streets and DIY parks.
“When you get rid of skate parks, It doesn’t stop skateboarders. It just stops them from having a safe place to go,” said Carter Cross who roller-skated with Gunter.
That’s why most skaters prefer the option of permanent skate parks.
“Street skating is not always conducive to all people’s comfort levels. I don’t really enjoy street skating, even though I’ve been skating for about 11 years,” said Christina Devencenzo, who accompanied Gunter and Cross.
The new park plans are a product of trying to meet local interest, says Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Director W. Lee Jones.
“We are always seeking to evolve and grow to keep pace with the needs of all communities,” Jones said in a statement. “We have heard of the need for more skating opportunities, and we are glad to be filling that gap.”
New Mecklenburg skate park locations
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is also partnering with the Charlotte Skate Foundation to create a skater-built DIY park. Kilborne Park’s skating destination will on top of underused tennis courts and owned by Mecklenburg County. It’s intended to serve as a replacement for the DIY park at at Eastland. And it will sit about 2 miles north of the former mall.
“Charlotte just isn’t a football, baseball and basketball city,” said Parish Moore, who works at Black Sheep Skate Shop. “There are kids out here wanting to do other stuff. Whether it be BMX, whether it’d be long board, whether it be skateboard — every kid deserves these chances and deserves a place to go.”
Other sites adding skate parks as part of the county’s plan are Nevin Park in north Charlotte, Shuffletown Park in northwest Charlotte, and Idlewild Road Park in Matthews.
“About time,” Carter said. “When Grayson isn’t open and we can’t go to Renaissance, we’re just going to street skate. It’s not always safe for us.”
Each park will vary in design based on community feedback, said Bert Lynn, the capital planning director for parks.
As part of a separate Bryant Park expansion, the county’s capital improvement plan calls for $7.4 million in improvements to Bryant Park in west Charlotte. That also could include a skate park, a news release said.
‘A bonafide good’
While Charlotte skaters last week were excited to hear about the county’s new investment in skate parks, so were park employees.
“I think it’s a bonafide good for the community especially with the fact that more people are moving to Charlotte. As all this development, we’re getting more people, especially more families,” Charlotte-Mecklenburg recreational assistant Kira Griffin said at Grayson Park.
Charlotte skaters see skate parks as a place to not only fall in love with the sport, but also find meaning and connection.
“Parks are probably the only place I’ve met anybody that I can connect and actually become lifelong friends with,” Gunter said.
This story was originally published June 21, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
