BILOXI — Skaters along the Mississippi Gulf Coast can now stay at the DIY skatepark in Biloxi after dark following the installation of new lighting, a move city officials say supports a space that has grown into a regular community gathering spot.
“We did that because they’re doing that Wednesday night skate (lessons) event every Wednesday,” said Kay Miller, executive director of Biloxi Main Street and downtown services manager for the City of Biloxi. “It gets dark at 5 p.m. now, and so that helps them tremendously.”
The DIY skatepark began two years ago as a grassroots effort by the Gulf Coast Skatepark Association after skaters said the Mississippi Gulf Coast lacked a permanent public skatepark. Built with donated materials, the site was initially intended as a temporary solution but has since evolved into a heavily used public space.
“Now people come from all a round,” said Tyler Prowant, founder and president of the Gulf Coast Skatepark Association. “People say that they could go to a premiere concrete skate park, but that it doesn’t have the same feeling of community like ours does.”
As the park’s popularity has grown, advocates have continued pushing for a permanent concrete skatepark. More than 1,700 people have signed a petition supporting that effort.
“That construction cost is going to be upwards of $3 million,” Miller said. “But we can’t get to that part until we have a professionally planned skatepark with site plans and drawings and things like that.”
Prowant said the required design phase — a necessary step before applying for construction grants — is expected to cost about $75,000. He said they’ve already raised $14,000 through sponsorships and community donations.
While the lighting does not resolve the long-term question of a permanent skatepark, Prowant says it allows skaters to safety extend their time at the current site and signals ongoing recognition of the space’s role in the community.
“The city is absolutely seeing the vision,” he said. “Not only the lights and not only the legal documents, and not only the signage — all of these things are contributing to be indicators that, yes, we’re moving in a positive direction.”
Donations for the Gulf Park Skate Association, are collected through their website.
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