Where to next for Birmingham area skaters?

photo - jflint/Flickr

Photo: Untitled. jflint/Flickr.

That’s the question being asked by many of them as they learned that the skate ramps they’d recently created on the site of the old Terminal Station – and next to the 5^th Avenue North on ramp to I-20/59 – had been removed early yesterday by the Alabama Department of Transportation. The makeshift ramps had been constructed as a result of the dismantling of the Homewood Central Park skate ramp this summer.

Filed under: News

Jeremy Flint

Isn't there a small skate park in Vestavia, near the Wal-Mart Market on 31? I think it might just be a half-pipe.

Brad Lovell

If anything, they should have expanded Homewood park. Did you ever see that place on a Saturday? it was booming. With the economy in shambles, it costs to much for someone to travel to Vestavia or Alabaster. Vestavia is way past its prime. The ramps are dilapidating daily. Alabaster is way to far of a drive plus, you have to pay when you get there. A proper skate park downtown would be a stellar way to boost the local economy, and create a positive interest. Downtown Birmingham is already on the upswing, public parks (such as skate parks) are great way to seal the deal. All of that aside, look at the census of kids that live in and around the area who skateboard. Between the ages of 11 and 17, not very much income if any, predominately Caucasian, and they all need something fresh to skate. Most kids either live in the area, or wont travel any further than Birmingham. Hands down, its long overdue! Nobody can argue it. Oh yeah, and has anybody even noticed the coverage that Birmingham has already gotten (nation wide)? With a PROPER skate park, it would get bookoos. Trust me, Peter has the connections; not the proper venue.

Peter Karvonen

homewood skatepark got used by at least 100 kids a day, unlike vestavia and alabaster. there were other problems at homewood more so than lack of supervision. Perhaps them building $4oo, 000 condos approx. 15 feet from the skatepark? Come on, they wanted a scape goat for the removal of Homewood. Put 100's of kids in any area and there are gonna be minor problems. Been to a highschool football game lately? (fights, drugs, bad language, coaches putting players on steroids etc....) I say shut them down!!!! haha

Skeeter

Andre,
I'm sure there's a skate park in Vestavia and I think the one in Alabaster is still open. They are fenced and supervised, Homewood's was not and that was the problem.

Brad Lovell

Its also dangerous skating in some places in Birmingham. Me and some friends were recently skating, we decided to hit up an old ledge spot only to realize it was occupied by some local gang. They tried to steal my buddy's motorcycle, and then started going crazy. It could have been a lot worse though. B-ham definitely needs to step up there game. Atlanta has how many parks? To hell with the super dome. A skate park would be pennies compared to that.

Dave(not that one, the other o

It's a long way from Alabama to the UK, mollie. Much to far to ride a board anyway.

Thanks though

daddy

if you guys keep taking our warm up spots, now i'll have to take it to the streets and get kicked out everything until i get fed up with that. Then i'll probably stop skating and start t smoking drugs for the rest of my life thanks for ruining birmingham skateboarding ..once again

brandon fuller

well like that on dude said well be on the streets getting hassled, there not helping there making it worse skaters are gonna skate the street no and be getting arrested for trespassing...

Peter Karvonen

Kids in Birmingham need a place to skate! We will now focus on getting the city to build us a public skatepark. Anyone with concerns or suggestions, or help please feel free to contact me.
Peter Karvonen (owner faith skate supply)