Richmond County has been without a public skatepark for over two decades. As a result, generations of local youth and adults have been left without a safe, legal, and accessible place to practice skateboarding, BMX, scootering, and inline skating. This proposal outlines the urgent need for a centrally located public skatepark, supported by personal experience, community history, and the demonstrated demand for action‑sports infrastructure in Augusta.

A modern skatepark would address long‑standing gaps in recreation, youth engagement, public safety, and community development. It would also prevent the recurring cycle of DIY skateparks being built, destroyed, and rebuilt — a cycle that wastes community resources and erodes trust between residents and local government.

 
Background & Personal Testimony
My name is Tyler Evans‑Martin, and I am a 27‑year‑old lifelong resident of Augusta, Georgia. Like many skaters in Richmond County, I grew up skating in driveways, rough streets, and curbs because there was no public skatepark available. Throughout my childhood, teenage years, and even today I am repeatedly kicked out of public spaces or threatened with police involvement for simply practicing a hobby that kept me active, focused, and out of trouble.

Augusta’s skate scene has repeatedly grown and collapsed because we have never had a central, legal place to gather. As a kid, I didn’t even know other skaters lived just blocks away — we had no hub, no meeting point, no community anchor. A public skatepark would have connected us, supported friendships, and provided a safe outlet during critical years of development.

 
Community Need & History of DIY Skateparks
In the absence of public support, local skaters have taken it upon themselves to create temporary DIY skateparks:

Downer DIY (North Augusta Near Downtown) — built by locals, fostered community, and provided a safe outlet. Local skaters were eventually banned, and freshly built obstacles were destroyed.
Vernon Forrest DIY (Telfair St. in Hillside Park community) — created on unused public land, welcomed by neighbors, parents, and kids. Also torn down, with obstacles destroyed despite being funded by community members.
These DIY parks were not acts of defiance — they were acts of necessity. They existed because Richmond County has not provided a single public skatepark in over 20 years. Their removal demonstrates a clear need for a sanctioned, permanent facility.

 
Benefits of a Public Skatepark
1. Youth Engagement & Public Safety
A skatepark provides a safe, supervised environment that keeps youth active and away from unsafe or unsanctioned areas. Cities nationwide have documented reductions in loitering, trespassing, and police interactions after building skateparks.

2. Accessibility & Equity
Unlike many sports, skateboarding and BMX require minimal equipment and no fees. A centrally located skatepark ensures access for residents who rely on walking, biking, or public transit — especially important for low‑income families.

3. Mental & Physical Health
Action sports improve cardiovascular health, balance, coordination, and resilience. They also reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, offering a positive outlet for individuals who may not thrive in traditional team sports.

4. Community Building & Economic Impact
Skateparks attract families, spectators, and visitors. They support local businesses, create opportunities for events, and strengthen community identity. Cities with modern skateparks often see increased tourism and youth engagement.

5. Athletic Development & Opportunity
With skateboarding and BMX now Olympic sports, Augusta has the opportunity to support future athletes and elevate the region’s reputation in action sports.

 
Why Richmond County Must Act Now
The continued destruction of community‑built DIY parks shows that residents want and need a skatepark — and they are willing to build one themselves when the county does not. Removing these spaces without providing an alternative leaves youth with nowhere to go and perpetuates a cycle of frustration, displacement, and wasted resources.

A public skatepark is not a luxury. It is a necessary investment in:

youth development
public safety
community health
equitable recreation
long‑term cultural growth
Richmond County has the opportunity to break a decades‑long cycle and finally provide a safe, legal, and accessible space for thousands of residents.

 
Call to Action
On behalf of the residents of Augusta and Richmond County, I respectfully urge local government officials to:

Acknowledge the demonstrated need for a public skatepark.
Identify centrally located land suitable for a modern skatepark.
Engage with professional skatepark builders to develop a safe, durable, community‑driven design.
Collaborate with residents, parents, and local skaters to ensure the park reflects community needs.
Commit to funding or co‑funding the construction of a public skatepark as part of Augusta’s recreational development.
This proposal represents not just a request, but a long‑overdue opportunity to invest in the youth, culture, and future of Richmond County.

 
Conclusion
For over 20 years, skaters in Augusta have been pushed aside, displaced, and left without a safe place to practice their sport. A public skatepark would transform this reality. It would provide a lasting legacy of community empowerment, health, and opportunity for generations to come.

I urge Richmond County leadership to take this proposal seriously and work with us to make a public skatepark a reality.

Respectfully submitted, Tyler Evans‑Martin Resident of Richmond County.