iStockphoto / PercyAlban
In an effort to revitalize the rich skateboarding history across New York City, Tony Hawk has partnered with Mayor Eric Adams’ office to build new skateparks in The Bronx and Brooklyn.
The initiative is being driven by The Skatepark Project (TSP), a charitable organization founded by Tony Hawk in 2002 under the name ‘Tony Hawk Foundation’ which was changed to The Skateboard Project back in 2020. Their mission from day one was to make skating more accessible to kids across America who otherwise don’t have access to skateparks.
On January 24th, The Skatepark Project announced the new partnership with the office of Mayor Eric Adams. On Facebook, they announced:
“The Skatepark Project is thrilled to officially announce our partnership with the City of New York to develop four major #skateparks in Brooklyn and the Bronx. With support from the NYC Mayor’s Office, City Council, Bronx and Brooklyn Borough Presidents, the Department of Parks & Recreation, the Economic Development Corporation, and so many more, these skateparks are being fast-tracked for completion in just three years to open up much-needed public recreation space in the outer boroughs of NYC.”
This is a massive project with a $24 million commitment from all the parties involved. They will build two brand new skateparks in addition to completely revamping two existing but dilapidated skateparks.
The two new skateparks will be built in Mt. Prospect Park (BK) and Soundview (The Bronx). And the existing skateparks receiving a facelift are Allerton’s Bronx Skate Park and Brower Skate Park in Crown Heights.
On the foundation’s website, they proudly boast to have “awarded over $10-million to more than 600 public skatepark projects in all 50 States” since 2002. In addition to that, they’ve donated $150,000 “to support the Skateistan program in Afghanistan, Cambodia, and South Africa.”
Skateboarding Is Seeing A Renaissance
In 2020 and 2021, the number of skateboarders in the US reportedly rose from 6.4 million to 8.8 million, marking a massive resurgence in skating popularity.
Skate shoes, skateboards, and apparel are all on the rise with the industry expected to rise from $2 billion in 2020 up to $2.38 billion by next year. Making skateboarding accessible again is a huge part of making it cool again and it’s also a huge driver of the current spike in popularity.