Parks and Recreation officials from the city of Kennesaw surprised attendees of a Outdoor Movie Night in June with a video presentation by skateboard champion, entrepreneur and philanthropist Rob Dyrdek.
Dyrdek announced that Kennesaw’s Swift-Cantrell Park would be turned into a 40,000-square-foot skate park facility. The venue will be not only the first in Kennesaw, but also the first permanent skate park featuring elements based on a competitive street skate park plaza design.
Dyrdek introduced representatives of the two companies that have been key factors in his support for the project: Brian Moore, president of SITE Design Group, the new park’s designers, and Joe Ciaglia, CEO of California Skateparks, the site’s contractors.
Kennesaw Parks and Recreation Director Doug Taylor said the park is projected to be one of the largest in the Southeast. Swift-Cantrell Park will be an all-concrete skate park and an outdoor Street League course, a skateboarding series created by Dyrdek.
“Dyrdek’s foundation, the Rob Dyrdek Foundation, will help with promotions, cover the design fees and assist with raising additional funds for the park,” Taylor said.
Taylor said the Swift-Cantrell Park will be used as an outdoor qualifying facility for skateboarders.
R.J. Patel, president of the Swift-Cantrell Park Foundation, said in a 2011 article on the Kennesaw Patch news website, “We need the support of businesses and companies in this area who recognize how this project will promote Kennesaw, Cobb County and Georgia.”
Atlanta skateboarder and enthusiast Nick Scott, who owns ATL Skater, a local website dedicated to all things skateboarding, said he believes skateboarding saves lives and keeps people focused.
Skateboarding began in California in the 1940s and was popularized through a 1986 film called “Thrashin’.” Scott said creating parks allows skateboarders to have a place to go, since many public areas do not allow skateboarding.
“Skateboarding can generate friends and relationships you would probably never meet,” Scott said. “But the board unites you.”
Scott believes the park will bring notoriety to Kennesaw that will eventually trickle down to Atlanta parks. Scott’s friend and pro-skateboarder Dave Allen, a former British champion skateboarder and Death Skateboards-sponsored athlete, said he agrees with building the skate park.
“America has great weather; the facilities are better, so an outdoor park would be great and kids can enjoy,” Allen said.
For more information about the new Swift-Cantrell skate park, visit http://www.kennesaw.com/attractions/swift-cantrell-park/
I am a graphic and web designer and a lifetime skater from the 70’s. I would be privileged to have an opportunity to be involved with the skate park in any capacity. I will gladly do any design work available and I have always wanted to spearhead a team. Anything that I can do to be involved will be a pleasure. We have twins about to turn four years old and I take them to a small park in Douglasville. I really hope that they grow up wanting to skate so we are instilling skating and snowboarding at an early age. So far they love the park and are very enthusiastic about skating. This coming winter will be their first snowboard experience, something I have done for about 20 years now. Anyway, please feel free to contact me with any opportunities to be involved with the park. I will look forward to your response and hope that I can assist in some way.
Thanks and best regards,
Jeff Miller