CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Local skaters are seeking solutions for the lack of skate parks in the city.
After a DIY skatepark on the old Eastland Mall site was demolished, the east Charlotte skating community found a new home down the road at Kilborne Park. Now, the city is recognizing the group for their hard work with a $15,000 placemaking grant. Leaders say the money will help them keep skating accessible for the east Charlotte community.
"Something about a DIY skate park, you’re proud of what you built," Luke Giduz, co-founder of the Charlotte Skate Foundation, said. The group prides itself on welcoming everyone to the skate park for free.
"We have a community on the east side of Charlotte and we wanted to keep it over here," co-founder Stephen Barrett added.
Their original DIY skatepark thrived for years on the old, vacant Eastland Mall site. However, it was demolished to make room for the redevelopment of Eastland Yards.
With the help of Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation, the skate park now has a permanent spot at Kilborne Park down the road.
"Everyone can get what they wanted from Eastland here," skater Mark Jackson said. He is grateful they don’t have to worry about it getting shut down.
"I get to do this after work every day. It’s a safe space," Jackson added.
Giduz said the city grant validates the group's mission to offer a DIY home for skaters where everyone is welcome.
"This is the first time anything like this has ever happened in Charlotte"' Giduz said.
Giduz estimates the money will allow them to double the number of permanent structures they have at the park. These city placemaking grants went to 13 other community initiatives across Charlotte, totaling about $154,000.
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