The Skatepark Project (TSP), founded by legendary skater Tony Hawk, announced a historic partnership with the City of New York to develop four major skateparks in Brooklyn and the Bronx, significantly improving skate infrastructure in the city and increasing access to the sport for millions of residents and visitors.
Born out of a public-private partnership between TSP, the NYC Mayor’s Office, City Council, Bronx and Brooklyn Borough Presidents, the Department of Parks & Recreation, and the Economic Development Corporation, this project is being fast-tracked for completion in just three years to open up much-needed public recreation space in the outer boroughs of NYC.
This public works project is being developed in communities that have historically lacked access to high-quality public recreation spaces, opening up opportunities for positive growth, physical activity, and social interaction for millions of local residents and visitors. The parks will provide public greenspace for community engagement alongside sophisticated facilities to meet the growing demand for skateboarding, scooter, BMX, in-line skating, roller skating and Wheelchair Motocross in New York City.
This project marks a powerful moment when the Mayor’s Office, City Council, public agencies and advocates are all aligned on priorities regarding public space. TSP will provide design consultation and project management support for the four parks – two new constructions and two renovations. These state-of-the-art facilities will be located in Brooklyn (Brower Skatepark and the Brooklyn Skate Garden) and the Bronx (Soundview Skatepark and Bronx Skatepark).
“We are thrilled to announce this partnership with New York City that will bring the city’s skate infrastructure to a whole new level and give its iconic skate culture the respect and expanded space it deserves,” said Benjamin Anderson Bashein, Executive Director of The Skatepark Project. “True to our mission as an organization, these projects will serve the immediate needs of the community, celebrate the great legacy of skateboarding in New York, and will allow anyone within these communities who wants to learn to skate the opportunity to do so.”
Mayor Adams and members of the City Council in these districts have rallied around the project, providing unwavering advocacy and financial support. In collaboration with partners, TSP will help build these parks using proven best practices and expertise gained over 20 years of leadership in the skatepark space. During the development process, TSP will engage local community members and stakeholders to finalize designs, make site-specific environmental considerations, and oversee sustainable and environmental impact efforts while ensuring accessible design and quality execution.
Beyond providing benefits to the local communities, these parks will elevate NYC’s status as the East Coast skateboarding capital by bringing the city’s skateboarding access and facilities onto the cutting edge of contemporary design. Once open, these multi-million-dollar parks will attract visitors – both skaters and spectators – from all over the world, showcasing NYC’s iconic skate culture on an international scale and acting as breeding grounds for the next generation of leaders in the action sports space. The parks also have the potential to drive economic growth in the historically underserved areas where they are located, with high-quality facilities with the capacity to host Olympic-caliber events.
“One of the key things we identified in our ‘New’ New York report is that high-quality public spaces aren’t a luxury —they’re a necessity,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Our partnership with Tony Hawk, The Skatepark Project, and the City Council will help us create four world-class skateparks in Brooklyn and the Bronx. These new parks will be able to host major competitions, they’ll boost tourism and the economy, and, most importantly, they’ll give New Yorkers, particularly our young people, a place to get outside, have fun, and express themselves on four wheels. Investments like these in public spaces, in public safety, and in working people are how we’ve driven crime down and jobs up, and it’s how we’ll continue to deliver for working-class New Yorkers every day.
”Soundview Skatepark will replace a defunct asphalt roller rink in the Bronx’s existing Soundview Park with a 15,000 square foot custom poured-in-place skatepark co-designed by pro skater and NYC native Tyshawn Jones. The park is a personal project for Jones, who grew up in a community close to Soundview Park and has advocated for years to improve access to his sport in the area. Spectator seating will attract visitors and allow community members to witness the development of the next generation of skateboard stars from The Bronx. The funding and support for this park is being led by the mayor’s office and Majority Leader Amanda Farias (District 18).
“I am excited to be bringing a skatepark to the Soundview community! This project is a huge investment in the future of the Bronx and our children,” said Majority Leader Amanda Farias. “Skate parks help to build and sustain healthy communities and give our young people the opportunity to practice a sport that gives them much needed exercise and a sense of self-esteem. After the COVID-19 pandemic, our young New Yorkers deserve a gathering place for people of all ages to meet and share experiences. As a former skater and someone born and raised in Soundview, I am incredibly proud to be supporting the creation of this state-of-the-art project in my district.”
Bronx Skatepark is an existing space ripe for improvement. Even in its current state of deterioration, this park attracts thousands of skaters and friends from the community; TSP plans to work with local advocates and stakeholders to ensure the expansion and redevelopment of the park meets the needs of the community. Existing steel ramps will be replaced with contemporary concrete renovation to improve accessibility, capacity, and functionality. A pathway to the new nearby water fountain will be added to the site, and the space will be designed to minimize sanctioned graffiti art with a design aesthetic that focuses on community art and colorful concrete. Bert Correa of the Manny Santiago Foundation is a leading advocate supporting the development of this park. The funding and support for this park is being led by the Mayor’s Office and Council Members Oswald Feliz (District 15), Eric Dinowitz (District 11), and Kevin Riley (District 12).
“I’m thrilled to be a part of this transformative public-private partnership with The Skatepark Project,” said Council Member Eric Dinowitz. “This collaborative investment creates a haven for self-expression, recreation, and empowers our young people, addressing the unique needs of our community. The Bronx, often overlooked, will now shine with a vibrant and inclusive space, showcasing our commitment to ‘grind’ through the obstacles that face us. The enthusiasm behind this project is palpable and I cannot wait to see it come to fruition.”
“Families in the Bronx deserve safe spaces where their children can partake in sports which are vital for their physical well-being,” said Council Member Oswald Feliz. “Skateboarding offers many benefits, especially for our youth, and it’s important that residents have access to skate parks. I applaud Mayor Adams and The Skatepark Project for ensuring residents have access to this new and modern skate park they can enjoy.”
“I am thrilled to support The Skatepark Project’s plan for new cutting-edge renovations in The Bronx and Brooklyn, particularly the revitalization of The Bronx Skatepark serving my District 12 community,” said New York City Council Member Kevin C. Riley. “ In my unwavering resolve to expand more safe spaces in our communities, these transformative projects are essential to creating pathways for exploration and an improved quality of life for more neighborhoods. I commend The Skatepark Project for their dedication to fostering community engagement and sustainable environmental impact efforts.
”Brower Skatepark is currently a beloved but bare-bones skate space in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. TSP will work with local advocates to redesign the existing skatepark framework to become more accessible to all skill levels and rider-types and increase capacity. The site will maintain a distinct community flavor while evolving to a state-of-the-art quality for its size. The funding and support for this park is being led by the mayor’s office and Council Member Chi Osse (District 36).
“I am so excited to welcome The Skatepark Project into our neighborhood with an investment in our parks and in our youth,” said Council Member Chi Osse. “This type of public-private partnership is important to building the enriched communities we deserve, and there is no better place for this investment today than Council District 36.
”The Brooklyn Skate Garden is a community-driven vision in sustainable skatepark design and creative composition that will result in one of the largest skateparks on the East Coast, located in Brooklyn’s Mount Prospect Park. The 40,000 square foot custom poured-in-place concrete skatepark will become an emblem of skate culture in NYC and include security lighting, spectator seating, community gardens, and space for programming to be integrated into the skatepark and park setting. TSP is working with the Pablo Ramirez Foundation to conceptualize this park, an organization dedicated to the memory of pro skater Pablo Ramirez with the mission to support positive development through skateboarding, art, and music. The funding and support for this park is being led by the mayor’s office and Council Members Shahana Hanif (District 39) and Crystal Hudson (District 35), and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.
“Our dream of creating a visionary Skate Garden in the cultural heart of Brooklyn began in 2019, inspired by Pablo’s life and legacy,” said Loren Michelle, Executive Director of The Pablo Ramirez Foundation. “Thanks to the generosity of The Skatepark Project and the City of New York, our dream will become a reality in Mount Prospect Park, Brooklyn. We are thrilled to contribute to the fabric of our city; to provide a haven and a beacon for all skaters; and to provide opportunities to connect and build community.”
“The Brooklyn Skate Garden will be a transformative addition to Prospect Park’s landscape. I’m deeply proud my office could work with the legendary Tony Hawk to make this dream a reality,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “This innovative partnership will bring beautiful new greenspace alongside state-of-the-art features to deliver a new community skate park for skaters of all expertise levels to enjoy and compete. I look forward to seeing this innovative project through and bringing the Brooklyn Skate Garden to life.”
“The Brooklyn Skate Garden is officially a reality! Today’s announcement is a testament to the dedication of countless community advocates––not least the Pablo Ramirez Foundation,” said Council Member Crystal Hudson. “Now, with the help of The Skatepark Project, our community will be home to one of the largest public skateparks on the East Coast. I am excited to see this project through, engaging our neighbors throughout the process, and helping ensure that this public-private endeavor between TSP, NYC Parks, EDC, the Council, and the Brooklyn Borough President remains a model partnership for years to come.”
