Building Community Through Access to Skateparks — Episode 109

Regular listeners of the show know that I have a love for
skateboarding, and, as many NRPA members and park and recreation
professionals have been inquiring about the benefits of bringing
skateparks to their communities, I’m excited for today’s episode.
And, I believe you’re going to get a lot out of it if you’re one
of those professionals advocating for a skatepark at your agency.
On today’s episode, I’m thrilled to welcome Alec Beck, the
manager of public education for The Skatepark Project, formerly
known as the Tony Hawk Foundation, as well as Cecely Todacheenie,
a local skateboarder from Gallup, New Mexico, who was a strong
advocate and youth ambassador for a skatepark project in her
community.


Cecely, who is a member of the Navajo Nation and co-owner of
Enchantment Skate Shop with her husband, Jeremy, developed a love
for skateboarding after finding it was a positive outlet for
dealing with a traumatic event in her life. When she noticed a
need in her community for a safe, accessible space to participate
in this activity she loves, she worked with City of Gallup
officials, as well as Alec and The Skatepark Project, to make the
Gallup Skatepark — a free, public skatepark for skateboarding,
roller skating, biking and more — a reality.


Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about The
Skatepark Project and why the Gallup Skatepark and other
skateparks across the country are such powerful tools for
building community. You’ll also learn:


How The Skatepark Project is bringing more skateparks to
local communities

How Cecely engaged her community and advocated for the Gallup
Skatepark

How skateparks can be a catalyst for equity and inclusion in
a community

The importance of breaking down the stigma associated with
skateboarding and skateparks

What steps a park and recreation agency should take when
considering building a skatepark

What skateboarding means to Cecely and Alec, and much more!



Related Links


The Skatepark Project

Resources from The Skatepark Project

The Skatepark Project on Instagram

Cecely Todacheenie on Instagram

Push To Heal (short film)

Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Rodeo (part of the
Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, which will include the
Inter-Tribal Skate Jam in 2022!)

Email the Skatepark Project