Skateparks provide a place for sport and culture.
Accessible Skate Parks for All
Skate City SRQ
Skate City, SRQ’s mission is to create a network of skate parks throughout Sarasota County to make adventure sports (skateboarding, scooter, inline, BMX, and roller skating) more accessible to kids. We want to create spaces that empower our youth, spaces that serve individuals who may not participate in traditional group sports, as well as enhance the quality of life for the public through a space that encourages creativity and self-expression.
Why a network of skateparks?
A network of skateparks will serve to further the mission of Sarasota Parks and Recreation Departments to create family and tourist-friendly environments that promote healthy living. Currently, Sarasota has over 120 parks, only one of which contains a skate park. With the mammoth rise in popularity as a sport over the decades – evidenced by its recent inclusion in the Olympic Games – skateboarding has become a multibillion-dollar industry.
Goal: Skate City, SRQ will create ten new skateparks in Sarasota County. Why ten skateparks? Look around. Have you noticed how much construction and expansion has happened in Sarasota County recently? As of 2021, Sarasota was the second fastest-growing city in the U.S. Sarasota County grew 2.6% adding approximately 55,000 residents. That’s a lot of families looking for healthy outdoor activities! With skateboarding’s popularity reaching an all-time high (with its inclusion in the Olympics!) we need more public spaces for kids to get their energy out, connect with friends, and express themselves.
Other areas like Manatee County have capitalized on the popularity of skateboarding – they have four skateparks with plans to build at least another two. Sarasota County, with the help of professional skater and Olympian Jake Ilardi, are looking to spread the love throughout Sarasota County by building parks in destinations such as Venice, Englewood, North Port, Vamo, Nokomis and Osprey (Jake’s hometown) in order to make adventure sports more accessible for all of the new families that have moved into these areas. We believe that ten strategically placed skate parks will meet the demand.
