Welcome to Park Circle Skate
City of North Charleston Announces Skatepark!
Why a Skatepark?
No safe and legal place to skate
Park Circle residents have access to a variety of recreational spaces. However, one important activity that is an athletic sport, art form, and lifestyle has been overlooked, and that is skateboarding.
Every skatepark supports hundreds of kids that might otherwise have nowhere to go.
- Peter Whitley, Public Skatepark Guide
You can easily find baseball fields, basketball hoops, and tennis courts in most U.S. cities and towns but many of these same places do not offer anywhere for skaters to legally skate, much less a skatepark.
Skaters in these areas are forced to ride in dangerous roadways, sidewalks, or parking lots where they will more than likely be kicked out by local authorities.
"[Skaters] show an uncommon dedication to their sport. And what does this commitment to physical exercise and outdoor activity earn them? In many areas it gets them a big fine." (Public Skatepark Guide - The Skateboarding Problem)
Skateparks Build Communities
Skateboarding's Appeal
There are 8.8 million skateboarders in the U.S. Up 34% from 2019, and this does not account for the many other skatepark users, like BMX riders, roller/quad skaters, inline skaters, scooter riders, and more. (Skateboarding Participation Report, 2021)
Most of the these skateboarders are 24 years old or younger. (Public Skatepark Guide - The Skateboarding Problem)
Skateboarding is the third most commonly reported interest for high school students (24% of girls, and 17% of boys). (Aspen Institute National Student Survey Analysis, 2021)
Skateparks are the fourth most used recreation space in terms of total weekly use hours. They were found to be more popular than sports fields, play areas, fitness zones, and dog parks when comparing the total weekly use hours. (The First National Study of Neighborhood Parks, 2016)
Benefits
Safe place
A local skatepark provides a safe place for people to practice their sport and challenge themselves in a healthy way. Skaters encourage each other to push beyond what they think is possible. A skater can spend hours/days/weeks trying a new trick and perfecting it. This persistance teaches them valuable lessons that transfer over to other aspects of life.
One of the great activities is skateboarding. To learn to do a skateboard trick - how many times you've got to get something wrong before you get it right... you learn to do that trick, now you've got a life lesson. Whenever I see those skateboard kids, I think, 'those skateboard kids will be alright.'
- Jerry Seinfeld, Comedian and Social Observer
Form of exercise
Skateboarding is an excellent form of exercise and gets people outdoors. Both youth and adults get their CDC recommended daily cardiovascular exercise while skateboarding at skateparks. (CSUSM Studies in the International Journal of Exercise Science, 2020)
Improves mental health
Along with the benefits to physical health, a recent study of skateboarding culture reveals that skateboarding improves mental health, fosters community, and encourages diversity and resilience. (Pullias Center for Higher Education)
Artistic expression
In addition to a sport, skateboarding is also considered to be a lifestyle and an art form. It can provide a sense of individuality and a means for artistic expression for our youth. Few sports give the individual participant complete creative control, and it is through the process of self-discovery and testing one's limits that a skater can develop his or her own style.
Endorsed by Tony Hawk's Foundation
Park Circle Skate is officially endorsed by Tony Hawk's non-profit organization, The Skatepark Project.
The Skatepark Project helps underserved communities create safe and inclusive public skateparks for youth. To-date, they have helped open over 600 skateparks. These parks receive more than 6-million visits annually by youth who benefit from the active lifestyle and camaraderie the facilities promote.
Skateboard Clinics
Park Circle Skate has collaborated with community partners to offer free skateboarding clinics to the youth of North Charleston.
Collaborations include partnering with the NCPD's Cops Athletic Program and Landmarks for Families to provide beginner skateboarding lessons for over 20 youth participants.
Skateboard clinic with the Cops Athletic Program (October 22nd, 2022)
Skateboard clinic with Landmarks for Families (November 12th, 2022)
Skateboard clinic with Landmarks for Families (April 1st, 2023)
Events
Park Circle Art Walk
Park Circle Skate was out at the Art Walk on October 15, 2022 to help spread the word about the benefits of public skateparks.
We also raffled off two skateboard decks that were hand-painted by artists at Stardust Tattoo.
North Charleston Christmas Parade
Park Circle Skate participated in the North Charleston Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 3rd, 2022 to help demonstrate the need for a free-to-use, safe, and inclusive skatepark for our community.
We had a diverse group of skateboarders, roller skaters, scooter riders, bicyclists, and walkers spreading cheer!
Roller Derby
Park Circle Skate had the opportunity to hold a skateboard demo during the halftime show at the Roller Derby on March 25th, 2023. Thanks to the Lowcountry Highrollers for having us out!
Community Partners
(38 total)
Our Community Partners are local businesses who have expressed their support for a skatepark in Park Circle and are also advocating for this community improvement.
- Accent on Wine
- Azalea Motors
- Barrel House Spirits
- Black Octopus Mercantile
- Continuum
- Cooper Family Dentistry
- DIG in the Park
- EVO Pizzeria
- Exotic Impressions
- Fast Doll
- Grassroots Gymnastics
- Gray Cat Music
- Halcyon Barber
- Holy City Brewing
- Lola
- Lowcountry Crawl Spaces
- Mermaid Miscellany
- Mickelsen Dalton LLC
- MoMo Riverfront Park
- Olde Village Barber Shop
- Olde Village Market & Deli
- Park Circle Creamery
- Park Circle Pharmacy
- Park Pizza
- Parrot Surf & Skate Shop
- Patch Whiskey
- Rebel Taqueria
- Santee Electrical Services
- Satchel Construction
- Second Chance Bikes
- Stardust Tattoo
- Team Phun
- The Bearded Ax
- The Brew Cellar
- The Junction Kitchen & Provisions
- The Nichols Team, Realtor®
- Transformer Rails
- Wind & Waves Brewing