Skaters ask Raleigh leaders for new DIY park they can build themselves
Graveside DIY was an open secret in the skate boarding community.
The skate park, built by skaters, carpenters and concrete finishers, was continually upgraded and changed with skate ramps and pads. Never officially sanctioned and on private property off Mid Pines Road, it drew skaters from across North Carolina.
Skate boarding changed Nikki Knapp’s life. She founded Skate Forward to bring inclusion, diversity and community to the Triangle skating scene. She found a home at Graveside DIY.
“Skate Forward was born out of Graveside DIY,” she said. “It was a place that many of us felt comfortable going to as women and femme skaters. A skate park where we build it ourselves feels safer compared to parks like in Apex and Marsh Creek.”
Now, Graveside is gone. The property was sold to a developer Dec. 31, 2024, and the ramps were destroyed. Skaters are looking for their next DIY opportunity, and they’ve set their sights on the city of Raleigh.
On Tuesday, community members asked the Raleigh City Council to consider providing underused park land for a new skate park.
City of Raleigh has two skate parks
“[Graveside was] an example of attention to detail, creativity and what works for this community, composed of all ages and types,”Riley Murphy told the council. “Much to the disappointment of skaters all around North Carolina, along with many neighbors and supporters, it is now gone, and we are in need of a new place to collaborate and call home. Something unique to Raleigh that will complement the local vibe, while also bringing in newcomers from across and beyond.”
The city of Raleigh has two skate parks: a permanent park at Marsh Creek Park in northeast Raleigh and the temporary Conlon Skate Park near downtown in the future Smoky Hollow Park.
Mecklenburg County provided space in a county park for a DIY skate park after one on private property was destroyed for development. Statesville also recently partnered with community skaters for a DIY park in its downtown area.
“We are aware of the interest in the DIY skate park and hope to have more information to share this summer,” said Kellee Beach, spokesperson for the city’s parks department.
Sumit Mondal is a board member of Skate Raleigh, a nonprofit that partnered with the city to build the temporary Conlon Skate Park.
“Skate parks provide a unique space for inter-cultural communication,” he said. “They offer skaters the opportunity to understand and interact with skaters of diverse racial, age and gender backgrounds. These builders here behind me can build an equitable skate park and they can build obstacles of varying sizes for a wide range of skill levels, for different types of wheels, and they can facilitate a safe community for all skaters.”
