Resident youth continue campaign for island skate park

West Ashley’s a long haul from Daniel Island on a skateboard. And then, once you get there, do you even have the energy to practice your awesome flips and slides?

Keegan Bittner, a 7th grader at Daniel Island School, along with classmates Henry Wood, Thomas Schmenk, Timmy McDonald, Noah Ward and Will Culler, have launched a grassroots campaign for a skate park on Daniel Island. “I’ve been skating my whole life but just started learning tricks a few months ago,” Keegan shares.

The middle schooler currently skates in his driveway, at the Jones Center in Mount Pleasant, and occasionally at the skate park in West Ashley. Less often, he skates around the island. “A quality skate park would provide a safe place to skate and hang out,” Keegan states. “This park would keep kids from getting into trouble skating in the streets.”

Ideally, the young skaters would like to see the park placed under the Wando Bridge next to the dog park. And, for those fluent in skate-speak, the crew would love the park to feature a quarter pipe, a mini half pipe, a fun box, a spine, rails and, if possible, a bowl.

Taking the campaign to the people, Keegan and his board buddies gathered over 300 signatures of support at Park Day in November. “The community really supported the idea, including some police officers,” the 13 year-old reported, “and were curious how this would turn out.”

The group also reached out to City of Charleston Councilman Gary White, who told The Daniel Island News, “The top priority for any new recreation facilities on DI will be focused on an indoor recreation and community center.” Still, Keegan states that if the City could provide the land, his group has leads on private donations to fund the construction of the park, adding that it is his understanding that the project would cost under $15,000.

If their vision came to fruition, the campaigners would like the skate park to be free and public, like the one in West Ashley. “We feel like skateboarding is something you can’t put a price on,” asserts Keegan. “Anyone should be able to skate it.” Even those willing to ride over from West Ashley.