Community leaders, elected officials and loved ones of the late Tyre Nichols gathered Sunday for the ribbon cutting ceremony of a local Sacramento skatepark that had been named and redesigned in Nichols’ honor. Nichols, who was murdered by Memphis police this past January, was a passionate skateboarder and active member of the skateboarding community.
Located within Regency Community Park, the Tyre Nichols Skatepark was Nichols’ local skatepark when he was growing up in Sacramento. There, he found community, lasting friendships, and nurtured his lifelong love for skateboarding.
“Six months ago we stood at the Regency Community Park honoring the life of Tyre – gathering as friends and strangers in the midst of tragedy that no mother should bear,” said Councilmember Lisa Kaplan. “In that midst, an idea took hold; how can we honor Tyre and provide hope for a better future? Yesterday, that hope began at the Tyre Nichols Skatepark carrying on his light, love and legacy.”
In May, the Sacramento City Council unanimously voted to name the local skatepark in his honor in an effort to heal, bring people together and foster a community like the one Nichols found in skateboarding. In addition to continued support and partnership in the project, Vans donated $100,000 to support the redevelopment of the park in honor of Tyre Nichols. Additional key organizational partners included California Skateparks and The Skatepark Project, Tony Hawk’s foundation which is committed to building skateparks in under-resourced regions.
These organizations came together to take the tribute a step further by improving the original skatepark. Based on Tyre Nichols’ vision for the skatepark, shared by his close friends in the skateboarding community, the park has been updated in record time. Through interviews with Nichols’ friends and family and a record 3-month long construction process, the City of Sacramento and community supporters were able to bring the skatepark of Nichols’ dreams to life.
The result of this incredible community effort is a Northern Sacramento park with Tyre’s name painted in between the ramps. The skatepark will serve as a space for the Sacramento community to come together and find unity in the face of injustice as well as an ever-present reminder of the life Nichols lived before his death.
“It is a true honor to support this project, uplifting Tyre Nichols’ legacy and passion for skateboarding which will live on here in his hometown park,” said Benjamin Anderson Bashein, Executive Director of The Skatepark Project. “It’s a vibrant testament to Tyre’s love of the sport as well as the resilience and friendships built on these ramps. This park will continue to serve as a site of accessible, safe outdoor recreation, fostering community for generations to come.”
The Tyre Nichols Skatepark is now open seven days a week, from 7AM-8PM PT.
