Hiwatt Skatepark

Why this. Why now.

Winston-Salem already has a skate scene. It's just never had a proper home.

Generations of riders have built a real culture here — this isn't charity. It's recognition that's long overdue.

700+

PUBLIC PARKS ACROSS THE U.S.

OLYMPIC DEBUT TOKYO 2020

40M+

ACTIVE SKATERS
IN THE US

Skateboarding finds you regardless of background or financial means.

Tony Hawk

Skateboarding Legend & Founder, The Skatepark Project

Inclusion & Equity

Open to Everyone.

Our core mission is reaching the underserved youth in Winston-Salem. Inclusivity isn't a talking point. It's the point.

Free forever. No entry fees, no memberships, no barriers to access.
No tryouts. No uniforms. You show up, you belong.
Skateboarding finds you regardless of background or financial means.
A community that builds brotherhood and sisterhood through shared concrete.
Designed to activate a downtown corridor as public space.

On Board? Stand with Us

Building a safe place to skate is the kind of thing that can greatly affect a kid's life.

Jeff Ament

Pearl Jam, Founder Montana Pool Service (30+ parks built)

The Research

Skateparks don't create problems. They solve them.

Decades of data and community outcomes across the country confirm what every skater already knows: give young people a safe, public space and watch what happens.

Cities that build skateparks report reduced youth loitering and vandalism in surrounding areas.
Skateparks serve more users per square foot than tennis courts or baseball fields.
Skate culture teaches problem-solving, persistence, and resilience — through trick repetition.
Public skateparks are among the most cost-effective youth infrastructure investments a city can make.

Agree? Add Your Name

The Site

A narrow corridor with unlimited potential*.

The long, linear site between Spruce and Marshall — running south to north from 7th to 8th — is ideal for a phased, multi-use public space. Each zone flows into the next, serving every age group in the community.

Skate Plaza

Pump Track

Playground

Walking Path

Adjacent to the forthcoming amphitheater —built-in activation and foot traffic.
Next to the Duke Energy substation — the energy of this neighborhood, literally.
Connected to WSTA bus service, Industry Hill,Trade Street, surrounding amenities and Salem Skate Supply.
Downtown location creates visibility and civic pride for the whole city.

*The southern portion of the site (#3) — is owned by Duke Energy. SkateWS Foundation is pursuing a partnership with Duke Energy to develop this unused parcel as part of the larger Hiwatt Skatepark project. This section of the plan is subject to that agreement. If needed, the playground (#3) would replace the pump track (#2).

The Crew.

Jerry Cooper

Co-Chair

Bryan Ledbetter

Co-Chair

Spencer Pickle

Legend

Jason Theil

Downtown Partnership

Stewart Holmes

United Community Bank

McDara Folen

Cooperstown Distillery

Michael Cashin

Womble Bond Dickenson

Heidi Schwartz

Foothills

Drew Gerstmyer

Industry Hill

Adam Sebastian

STITCH

Bryan Queen

Hanes

Tim Nolan

Fair Witness

Mitchell Britt

Krankies

Tiffany Harris

City of WS

We're not alone in this.

Many of Winston-Salem's most respected entities aren't watching this happen, they're ready to help make it happen.Twelve years of conversation. One unanimous answer.