High Point Skatepark

Fundraising to build a Skatepark in State College, Pa

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WE’RE BUILDING OUR KIDS A SAFE PLACE

TO SKATE AND HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS!

WE DID IT!

Coming in 2025, a public skatepark in State College Borough!

BENEFITS OF SKATEPARKS

IMPROVES HEALTH

Many of our kids struggled during the pandemic with isolation, anxiety and depression. Constructing this skatepark would give them a place to practice their sport, have fun with friends and improve their mental and physical health.

BUILDS RESILIENCE

Skaters perform a trick hundreds of times before landing it. These lessons increased resilience outside of skateboarding.

FOSTERS COMMUNITY

A community of skaters are all different ages and genders, and from different socio-economic and racial backgrounds.

Designed by a Local Pro-Skater and Business Owner

Growing up in State College in the late-1990s and early-2000s, Jake practiced skateboarding in his driveway and at out-of-town skateparks. He got so good that he became a professional skateboarder, traveling the world and skating. 

In 2020, He was drawn back to town determined to mentor and grow the local skating community. Last year, he opened IQ Skateshop downtown.

Together with his dad, Tim Johnson, PSU landscape architect professor emeritus, they designed a plaza-style park that the the community emphatically approved.

Jake also helped enlist New Line Skateparks to develop the technical design for the project and lead construction. The company is one of the most experienced and respected municipal design-build teams in the world with more than 350 highly recognized projects over the last 20 years.

Jake Johnson, pro skater and cofounder of IQ Skateshop on Pugh Street

BIKES, SCOOTERS, ROLLER SKATES AND WHEELCHAIRS WELCOME!

There are zero free public parks to practice BMX, skateboarding, scootering or roller-skating in Centre County. Those who do skate put themselves at a high risk of accidents and injuries by practicing in the street or on the cracked-up basketball court at Sunset Park. 

The new park design also includes areas and flow lines specifically designed for athletes in wheelchairs and exceeds all other ADA requirements.

Former State College Borough Councilwoman Deanna Behring and Mayor Ezra Nanes

State College Approved

In 2018, a Comprehensive Recreation, Parks, and Open Space Plan prepared by Centre Region Council of Governments (COG) Steering Committee in consultation with the Centre Region Parks and Recreation (CRPR) recommended the development of an action sports park.

Later, an action sports park committee was formed and their proposal was approved by the borough.

More than $2 Million Secured

Funding secured from:

State College Borough

PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Department of Community and Economic Development

State College Borough

In-kind Local Donations

Small donations from our awesome community

Grants from The Skatepark Project & Centre Foundation

I’ve seen how skating helps kids manage and channel the anxiety, uncertainty, and stress that so many are dealing with these days.

Ryan Jones, editor Penn stater, July 2022

IN THE NEWS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where is the park located?

The borough decided the best place for the skatepark would be High Point Park, a six-acre park off of Whitehall Road.

It’s accessible by car and bus off of Whitehall Road and a bike path. It’s less than a mile from the High School, Delta Middle and Corl Street Elementary. It is located 1.7 miles from the center of downtown.

The underutilized park is the perfect place for the 20,000-square-foot skatepark, which would take up about 3 acres where there is currently an overgrown and unused baseball field. Also, there is no lighting in the park (and no plans to add it) so it is not suitable or safe for use after dark.

When will the park be built?

This year!! Hopefully by the fall!

Who will maintain and keep the park clean?

Centre Region Parks & Recreation (CRPR) has agreed to maintain and regularly check on the skatepark.

Will the park be open at night?

There is no lighting in the park so it would be open only during daylight hours.

Who is behind this effort?

The Action Sports Park Committee was formed in 2016 and comprises of local parents and community members.

Did you Know??

Skateboarding is in the Olympics

Skateboarding debuted at the 2020 Summer Olympics. It is also approved for the 2024 Summer Olympic games.

Skateboarding is Uniquely American 

America is the hub of skateboarding and has made the action sport into one of the biggest activities in the world. It is home to around 3,100 skateparks.

Skateboarding is a $5 Billion Industry

Skateboarding isn’t a small-time setup that doesn’t make a lot of money. It brings in around $5 billion (USD) every single year!

Video by Brad Fey