East Charlotte Skate Park Nearing Demolition Day

CHARLOTTE, NC –  People in East Charlotte are fighting to keep their skate park from demolition.

The free park is at the old Eastland Mall site, which will be turned over to developers later this week.

The concrete slab with spray painted ramps was built by the people in the neighborhood over the last 8 years.

“We paid for all of this. This is $17,000 dollars of our own money,” said Stephen Barrett.

Barrett has been here since the beginning. It became a project that he gave purpose.

“For all of them. This is a place for them to be,” said Barrett, referring to younger generations of skaters.

But the park will likely be demolished to make way for the new Charlotte FC Headquarters and academy. A big investment by the city and Tepper Sports and entertainment.

“I think it’s kind of messed up because it’s been here for so long,” said Rose Stronach.

Skaters like Stronach say it’s more than just steel rails and concrete ramps.

“I really enjoy being around all these people and the scene,” said Stronach.

Barrett says a city planner is now compiling a list of flat locations near public transit that could work for a new skate park.

“We can build it again. If the city is offering something like that,” said Barrett, “Let us build it ourselves again. And make something for this community, to keep what we started going.”