GuVo, Arizona – The first ever skatepark in the Tohono O’odham Nation celebrated its grand opening Wednesday with a powerful community gathering. The ‘Free as a Bird’ skatepark, built with support from The Skatepark Project, the PTM Foundation, the GuVo District, and the Native American Advancement Foundation (NAAF), will provide indigenous youth with a safe space to be active and build community around the sport of skateboarding.
During the grand opening, guests and community members were invited to skate the park alongside local legends from the Tucson Skatepark Alliance and enjoy crafts and food from local vendors. Young people form the Tohono O’odham Nation scored prizes like BMX bikes, skateboards, and scooters, which were promptly put to good use in the park.
The celebration was especially joyous as the ‘Free as a Bird’ skatepark has been years in the making. In 2015, a group of local skateboarders from the Tohono O’odham Nation and GuVo community connected with the Native American Advancement Foundation and The Skatepark Project to begin the creation of this transformative space. The skateboarders then founded the Endure Skatepark Group, and with help from the GuVo District Youth Council, NAAF and the Tucson Skatepark Alliance, they built out the park.
During the grand opening, GuVo District Chairwoman, Marcia Ortega from GuVo District, spoke about the meaning of the park and its benefits for the local community. ‘Free As a Bird’ is intended to honor the GuVo community’s resilience through the devastating challenges of COVID-19, and to celebrate the strong connection between local artists, community businesses, and young skaters.
“The Free As A Bird skatepark has made history in the GuVo District and in the Tohono O’odham Nation. This skatepark will provide a safe place for our youth for generations to come,” said Selina Jesus, NAAF’s Sr. Director of Programs & Tribal Relations. “Without the support from the Skatepark Project and our donors, this dream would not be a reality.”
The Tucson Skatepark Alliance put on demonstrations, showing off impressive moves and providing coaching to the local youth. Free skateboards funded and designed by Nouns DAO and built by The Skatepark Project staff, volunteers and their partner Nixon were handed out, as well as protective equipment donated by Triple Eight.
The ‘Free as a Bird’ skatepark is located just south of GuVo Community on Federal Route 1, mile marker 18. It’s now open for use by the local community and visitors, every day from 6:00am – 9:00pm.
“We are inspired by the tenacity and resilience of the people of the Tohono O’odham Nation, who rallied together to make this dream park a reality,” said Benjamin Anderson Bashein, Executive Director of The Skatepark Project. “For so many people, skateboarding is a refuge, and every community deserves access to a dedicated space for recreation and creative physical expression. Generations of GuVo residents will now have the opportunity to come together and form lasting relationships while skating at ‘Free as a Bird’. We’re grateful to the Endure Skatepark Group for allowing us to support their efforts, and be a part of this moment.”
