Skateboarding group pushes to revitalize, expand skate park

Published 9:09 am Tuesday, October 22, 2024

The Oxford Skateboarding Association, a nonprofit under the Create Foundation, has been steadily working to raise funds to repair and expand the aging Oxford Skate Park.

Founded in June 2022, the association has been actively organizing events, skate clinics, and community programs to gather support for their cause. The park, built 18 years ago, is now showing some wear and tear.

The Skate Park is located off Bramlett Boulevard, across from the Lafayette County & Oxford Library.

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Skyler King, president of the Oxford Skateboarding Association, shared the group’s vision for the future.

“We’re planning to revitalize the existing skate park in phase one, then expand it in phase two. Eventually, phase three would involve building a new skate park in another part of town,” King said. “So far, we’ve raised $10,000 through community events, like our recent art show at the Ole Miss Motel.”

Their upcoming fundraiser, Día De Skate, will be held on Nov. 2 at The Powerhouse, featuring a competition at the skate park, followed by an event at the Powerhouse, complete with live bands, vendors and more.

Click here for more information on Dia De Skate.

King said that events like these and regular skate clinics, held every other Saturday, are helping to keep the local skateboarding community alive and thriving.

“We see a lot of kids and newcomers to both the community and skateboarding come out,” he said.

The association has met with city officials and the Oxford Park Commission, receiving approval to begin raising money for the revitalization project.

According to King, he will meet with an architect next week to begin the design process for the park’s improvements.

“We’d like to add features that would enhance the flow of the park,” he said.

Seth Gaines, director of the Oxford Park Commission said he has spoken with Buildings and Grounds Superintendent Greg Pinion in regard to the needed repairs.

“We’re meeting next week to discuss options,” Gaines said.

Once the skate association presents their full plans, the Park Commission will review them and potentially move forward with a course of action.

Click here to donate to the Oxford Skateboarding Association Skate Park Project.