CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A demolished Charlotte skatepark could soon get new life. The skatepark, which was located at the old Eastland Mall on Central Avenue for years, could now be rebuilt just minutes away at Kilborne Park.
Steve Barrett and Luke Giduz with the Charlotte Skate Foundation said the Eastland DIY Skatepark was built in 2015 at the old Eastland Mall site by skaters in the city.
But the skatepark wasn’t an approved project, and last year it was torn down as the city prepares for new housing, retail and restaurants in the area.
“So, it was kind of established without permission," Giduz said. "I don’t even think Steve expected it would last as long as it did, but that showed kind of what the need is for that kind of skatepark here in Charlotte. So, now we went about it the right way.”
This time, Giduz said they’re working with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation to make it happen, with hopes to build a new location just minutes away at Kilborne Park transforming the tennis courts into a space for skaters.
It's good news for Darius McDonald, who said Eastland was like a lifeline for him and many others.
“It literally brought a lot of people together," McDonald said. "Kilborne is going to be amazing… and then it’s like we’re given permission to build here. It’s going to be sanctioned, so it’s not going to be messed with, like we don’t have to think about it being torn down. We can just skate in peace.”
In a statement to WCNC Charlotte, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Capital Planning Director Bert Lynn said, "Following the announcement of the Eastland Yards development on the former mall site, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation staff worked along with staff from the City of Charlotte to identify potential sites for a future DIY skate park. At the same time, Charlotte skaters formed a non-profit, the Charlotte Skate Foundation, in an effort to secure a new home for the public skate park. Park and Recreation does not yet have a finalized agreement with the Charlotte Skate Foundation, but hope to have more information to share in the next few weeks."
When finalized, foundation leaders say they hope to begin construction over the summer.
The Charlotte Skate Foundation is accepting donations for the Kilborne DIY Skatepark through GoFundMe.
Contact Kayland Hagwood at khagwood@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.