It all started when a group of local advocates banded together in 2016 to form the Reading Skatepark Association (RSA). Little did they know that nearly 10 years later, the Reading Skatepark would open in 2024 and become a regional destination in 2025.
The vision was more space, more safety, more inspiration and more opportunity. Now, local skaters have all of that — and more — at the 22,000-square-foot concrete skatepark located at the corner of S. 6th and Canal streets in the city.
“The biggest thing that was missing from our county was that we didn’t have skateboarders giving input on the parks being built in the past,” says owner of Holistic Skateshop in West Reading and president of RSA, JD Turner. “It’s like building a baseball field without grass — there’s just a certain way to do it that’s up to the standards and Berks County was about 20 years behind.”
Reading Skatepark, now nearing its first anniversary in August, blends both street and vert skateboarding elements including rails, ledges, two large flow bowls, a staircase, a handrail and quarter pipes, all designed to grow with the skater. “We wanted to do a 50/50 design split of street and vert so that beginners feel welcome and advanced skaters had something to challenge them,” says Turner.
In order to achieve this, the RSA sought out Grindline Skateparks, Inc., a national skatepark design and construction company. After being built, the park went on to be named Grindline’s Park of the Year and even earned the Tony Hawk Foundation’s highest national grant which, according to Turner, is the biggest stamp of approval in the industry.
In order to achieve this, the RSA sought out Grindline Skateparks, Inc., a national skatepark design and construction company. After being built, the park went on to be named Grindline’s Park of the Year and even earned the Tony Hawk Foundation’s highest national grant which, according to Turner, is the biggest stamp of approval in the industry.
“I was skating one day and met a guy who told me he took off of work and drove from Washington D.C. just to try our bowl,” Turner recalls. “That’s a three-hour trip. That tells you something.”
The RSA also hosted the Phil-Am regional skateboarding competition at the new park in May, drawing even more regional skaters to Reading. While Turner is excited about the continued regional interest, he shared that the most fulfilling part is closer to home.
“The coolest part now that it’s built is that we’re going to have a kid that’s probably seven years old right now skating that park every day and, in a few years, will be completely ripping that park and then in 10, 20 years, might go pro from that,” says Turner. “Everyone at the RSA, everyone at the City that helped out, SSM, Grindline, and anyone involved in getting this park built, I just can’t thank them enough, because we will have a hand in that.”
Fun Facts
Next on Deck.
RSA and Berks County Parks & Recreation are revamping Stonecliffe Skatepark in Reading into a pocket park where beginners can learn and transfer their skills to the Reading Skatepark.
Summer of Skating.
Summer skate camps and lessons are available at Holistic Skateshop, which also has all the supplies you need, from the board to the attire. Contact 484.577.4183 or visit holisticskateshop.com.
