Elements are being installed at the site of the new Emry Park Skatepark.

“For the last two-and-a-half years, we’ve been trying to get it together, and it’s finally all coming together,” said Justin Kerr, who, with other skaters and the support of the community, began raising funds for a facility for those who are just learning the sport. “The community really pulled together, didn’t they? This is the community right here.”

Today, Gaston Concrete was getting ready to pour concrete for the quarter pipe and the manual pad. It will take around two weeks for the concrete to cure, and then the pad will be laid. The park is expected to open in the spring.

Kerr and the other skaters came up with the idea to repurpose a portion of the dilapidated tennis courts at the park to give skaters who are not ready for the park at T.J. Davis an opportunity to learn the skills necessary to master the facility near the Chris Wicker Aquatic Center. “What we’ve got on the other side of town is more of an intermediate and advanced type of park,” he said. “Over here, everything’s going to be a lot smaller, more flat ground, and very mellow. It’s somewhere you can come out to get your feet wet and learn how to skate, inline skate, ride a scooter, or whatever you want. Once you get better, you can go across town.”

At the new park, Kerr said local skaters want to continue having events like those held at T.J. Davis, such as skate jams and style events. Jams are more effort-based, he said. “It’s rewarding effort and showing up. A jam brings more community to the park, and that’s what we’re trying to build. We’re here to build a community of kids and get them together.”

Kerr believes the skatepark at Emry will bring an added benefit to the community because it’s already a multi-use facility with a playground, picnic shelter, walking trail, and ballfields. “Hopefully, it’s going to bring new life to this place. You have multiple uses, more families. That was our original dream — that we have somewhere for some of the kids to skate, some of the kids at the playground, and a little spot for mom and dad to hang out and make it a family party again.”

Mayor Emery Doughtie and Councilman Rex Stainback came out to the park this morning to see the progress. “When I heard that there were some private citizens interested in making a serious effort to get something moving along, it was a lot of encouragement for me,” Doughtie said.

“I think this new skatepark is going to be a really big deal for the younger kids who want to learn how to skate because the current park is an advanced park,” Stainback said. “It will be great for the much younger kids who aren't as advanced."