Our Work

Planning

The purpose of organizing and planning is to establish the administrative framework of the SOB and plan for the different phases of SOB's effort to establish a Baltimore skatepark. The Skatepark of Baltimore has been engaged in planning activities since February of 2005 this includes meetings with volunteers, as well as meetings with public officials, city agencies, businesses and area foundations.

Planning highlights:

Officially incorporating as small business in State of Maryland in January 2006
Officially incorporating as a non-profit organization in November 2006
Meetings with City Council members and the Mayor's office in 2007
Established a public private partnership between the City of Baltimore and the SOB in January 2008
Public Informational Hearing before the City Council on the topic of Building a Skatepark in Baltimore City in March 2008

Fundraising

The Skatepark of Baltimore has organized a variety of fundraising activities to make headway towards our monetary goal since our first fundraiser in March 2005. Many of the Skatepark of Baltimore's fundraisers take place on a grassroots level including, concerts, skate contests, art shows, and demonstrations. Every year the Skatepark of Baltimore submits grant applications for funding from Foundations.

Fundraising highlights:

To date, the Skatepark of Baltimore has raised over $12,000.00 from grassroots fundraising.
In 2007 the Skatepark of Baltimore was awarded a grant from the Abell Foundation of $30,000.
In 2007 and 2008 the SOB partnered with the Mountain Dew Action Sports Tour at Raven's Stadium.
In 2007, 2008 and 2009 the SOB partnered with the Virgin Music Festival.
In 2008 and 2009 the SOB partnered with the Vans Warped Tour.

Advocacy and Educational Activities

The Skatepark of Baltimore has organized numerous advocacy and educational activities, the purpose of which is to engage, inform and involve the youth and adult community in the sport of skateboarding and the facility the SOB intends to build.

Advocacy and Educational highlights:

The SOB has held advocacy and educational activities and events since March 2005
In 2007 the SOB was featured in local media including; The Signal, WYPR Baltimore, the Baltimore Sun, and an announcement in the City Paper.
In 2007 the SOB organized a Youth Outreach at the Hampden Family Center and had participation in Station North Art Festival & Skateboarding Exhibition.
In 2007 the SOB held nine (9) skateboarding contests in Maryland along with the inception of the "SOB Renegade Skate Series".
In 2008 the SOB received National attention on FUEL TV. The SOB was also featured in local media including 98 ROCK, WJZ, The Baltimore Sun, and The Examiner.
In 2008 the SOB held events all around Maryland including; "all girl" skate events, "Best of Baltimore" and "Action Sports Tour Block Party" contests at Carroll Park, a Downhill race on the JFX with the Jones Falls Watershed Association and a "Baggy vs Tight" Skate Contest at the "Pants Ramp". The SOB also donated 3 metal ramps to the Roosevelt Skatepark that were installed in the fall of 08.

Acquiring land for our site/ pre-development

The Skatepark of Baltimore has had much success in its plans to develop the skatepark, along the lines of locating and working at securing an appropriate site. The Mayor's office supports our concept of creating a new destination skatepark in the City of Baltimore and they provided agency support from the Department of Planning and the Department of Recreation and Parks to explore location opportunities and potential funding sources for the design and construction of the SOB. In 2008, our organization undertook several major initiatives to locate and secure an appropriate site including; assembling a Skatepark Task Force of both public and private stakeholders and holding 9 task force meetings, conducting a rigorous site selection process of 30 of open spaces, coordinating outreach to 3 communities proximate to the sites of interest and presenting our recommendation to the Mayor's Office for the best site. We are currently conducting meetings with the City of Baltimore and the Department of Recreation and Parks focusing on negotiating a partnership for acquisition of land to build the Skatepark.

Highlights:

In 2007 the SOB coordinated with two skatepark design firms Pillar Design Studios and Bracali Architecture AIA, LEED AP. They both offered valuable advice and assistance.
Established a public private partnership between the City of Baltimore and the SOB in January 2008
Meetings with the Directors of the Department of Recreation and Parks and Department of Planning
March 2008 inception of Skatepark Task Force whose primary objective was to determine the best site on which to construct the SOB
December 2008 presented Task Force findings and site recommendations to the MayorÕs Office