‘Words can’t explain it. It’s unreal.’ Statesville welcomes first skatepark since the 70s
STATESVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — On the outside, downtown Statesville has all the signs of a welcoming town.
“Being a skater in Statesville has sucked most of my life,” Jerry Shaver said.
But one sign makes it clear that only some have a place.
“So, it is pretty much like trying to skate and not get caught,” Kalyle Houser said, laughing.
For years, skateboarding has been illegal in downtown Statesville. But, with no designated place to skate in town, some take the risk anyway.
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“A police officer pulled up with his blue lights on [and] told my son that he could not skateboard, and I just don’t see any good in that,” Christian Griffith said.
As a lifelong skater, Griffith’s frustration over the lack of inclusiveness came to a boiling point in 2013. A 13-year-old boy died while skateboarding on the road near downtown.
“Kids want to be kids, and kids deserve to be kids and deserve a place to feel that it is okay to be who they are and have fun. That’s what this whole project is about. It’s about the kids and the community and making positive change,” Griffith said.
For the past 11 years, he has endlessly pushed for the City of Statesville to open a skate park. Now, it’s finally happening.
“We are really excited. It’s definitely happening. The ball is rolling. The City of Statesville is on our side with it now. That’s the dream come true right there,” Shaver said.
The Statesville Housing Authority owns a brick building off South Mulberry Street that has been decaying and vacant for years. But with a little work, a concrete layout, and artwork, it will become the town’s first skatepark since the 1970s.
“Words can’t explain it. It’s unreal. I will say that. It’s unreal and humbling,” Houser said.
While the Housing Authority owns the property, Griffith’s non-profit ‘Live to Skate’ will oversee the park and pay the bills, including costly insurance.
The group has been actively fundraising but is also relying on local businesses to chip in.
Galaxy Arcade is one of several businesses that donated money to the non-profit in exchange for advertising space on the park’s exterior wall.
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“When he asked me to be a part of this, there was no way I couldn’t say yes because it is just an amazing opportunity,” Galaxy Arcade owner Bryan Adams said.
A generation of skateboarders who haven’t always felt welcomed is now creating a welcoming space.
“Having a skate park is something that has been needed for a very long time. There is not much in the community for youth, and this is just going to be something very positive for kids to do. Yeah, there has just been a need for it for a very long time,” Griffith said.
On April 20, Griffith is holding a volunteer community workday to help clean up the space.
Organizers say June 8 will be the park’s opening day celebration.
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