The Skatepark of Baltimore is pleased to announce the completion of Phase II of a public, concrete skatepark at Roosevelt Park in Hampden located at 1201 W 36th Street. Construction of the second phase of the project began in the fall of 2016.

Founded in 2006 by Board President Stephanie Murdock, the Skatepark of Baltimore, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to building a public, concrete, destination skatepark in the City of Baltimore. The project represents the culmination of more than a decade of advocacy by hundreds of dedicated volunteers towards the goal of providing a free, safe, designated space for area skateboarders. The 16,000 sq. ft. facility is now complete and will serve as many as 100 youth a day throughout the City of Baltimore.

For the past ten years, the all-volunteer based nonprofit organization has advocated on behalf of the 30,000 skateboarders of Baltimore to build a world-class skatepark. Thanks to its partnership with the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks (BCRP), the first phase of the skatepark, a 5,000 square foot concrete bowl and surrounding banks, was completed in 2014. Phase I of the $210,000 project was funded by donations made to the organization by individual donors, the Tony Hawk Foundation, the Abell Foundation and matched by BCRP.

Supported by an additional $465,000 in funding from the City of Baltimore, the State of Maryland, and donations to the organization, Phase II construction was completed in December 2016 on the adjacent 11,000 sq. ft. addition, which consists of a concrete “street-plaza.”

Work has already begun on Phase III with the aim of making the skatepark safer and more accommodating for both skaters and spectators. Utilizing a $15,000 grant from the Johns Hopkins Neighborhood Fund, a plan to incorporate skatepark lighting and shade structures was developed in conjunction with landscape architecture firm Mahan Rykiel Associates. Roosevelt Park will also receive BCRP funds as part of a capital improvement effort to install restrooms in various parks city-wide.

“I would like to thank the members of our executive board, area skateboarders, local merchants, and members of the community for believing in our mission and their tireless support of this endeavor,” stated Stephanie Murdock. “This is the ultimate Christmas Present!”

A ceremonial Grand Opening event is planned for May, 2017.