20 Years of SPOA: A Skate Family Celebration in Athens, GA
On April 19, 2025, the Skate Park of Athens (SPOA) marked a major milestone — 20 years of skateboarding, community, and creativity. What started as a dream from a group of passionate skaters has grown into one of Georgia’s most beloved skate destinations. The 20th Birthday Bash brought the community together for a full day of skating, music, art, and memories, and Grit Venture Skateboards was honored to be part of it.
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Photos by Valentin Sivyakov
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SPOA’s Legacy: Two Decades of DIY Spirit and Local Pride
SPOA first opened in 2005, born from grassroots organizing and a deep love for skateboarding. It was made possible through community fundraising, local government support, and a grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation. With design and construction led by a legendary skatepark company, the result was a 14,000-square-foot concrete playground that’s welcomed skaters of all ages and backgrounds ever since.
Over the years, SPOA has become more than just ramps and bowls. It's a space where friendships are formed, tricks are learned, and a local skate culture has thrived. Many of today’s seasoned skaters first learned to drop in here, and it’s helped shape the next generation of riders in Athens. It’s been a proving ground, a safe space, and a second home — a rare kind of place where the community truly runs on wheels.
The Athens Skatepark Project: Building the Future
Website: https://athensskateparkproject.org
www.gofundme.com Skate Park Of Athens: Phase Two
 The Athens Skatepark Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and expanding the skateboarding community in Athens. Founded by local skaters and advocates, the organization played a pivotal role in organizing the 20th Birthday Bash and is actively working on plans for a Phase 2 expansion of SPOA. This expansion aims to add a street-style course adjacent to the existing park, providing more diverse terrain for skaters of all levels. By fostering community engagement, hosting events, and collaborating with local businesses and government entities, the Athens Skatepark Project continues to ensure that SPOA remains a vibrant and inclusive space for all.Their efforts are a testament to the enduring spirit of the Athens skateboarding community. |
The Birthday Bash: A Full Day of Stoke
The 20th anniversary event was an all-day celebration that brought together skaters, BMX riders, artists, musicians, and families from all around the region. Skating jams and contests ran throughout the day — from rail battles to bowl sessions, longest grind challenges, and a wild BMX high air contest. Skaters of all ages got in on the action, from little kids just learning to push to veterans still ripping decades later.
Live music by nine bands kept the energy high, and a vendor village featuring 30+ local artists, makers, and small businesses surrounded the park. The vibe was electric — part reunion, part block party, part skate demo. Food trucks and free cupcakes added to the party feel, and the whole day wrapped up with a sunset screening of a short film reflecting on SPOA’s history.
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One of the highlights was a surprise video message from Tony Hawk himself, congratulating the Athens skate scene on keeping the dream alive for 20 years. A retrospective video by Thrillahill Productions of the park's history was a full-circle moment that reminded everyone how far the park and the people who ride it have come. |
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Gratitude & Gold-Level Sponsors
Events like this don’t happen without serious support, and we want to give a huge shout-out to the amazing Gold-level sponsors who helped make it happen. Grit Venture Skateboards is proud to stand alongside these local legends:
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Thrasher Photo + Design
- Cafe Racer
- The K.A. Artist Shop
- Dynamite Clothing
- Thrillahill Productions
- Athens Olde Skool BMX
- Medusa Salon
- Joiner & Associates
We’re also incredibly grateful to all the Silver-level sponsors, local volunteers, event organizers, and everyone who rolled up to make the day unforgettable. The SPOA family showed up in full force, and it was a powerful reminder of what skateboarding culture is all about.
Here's to the Next 20
As we packed up our booth and looked back at the day, one feeling rose above the rest: gratitude. Being part of the SPOA 20th anniversary celebration was an honor. It reminded us why we do what we do — to support skate culture, fuel creativity, and stay connected to the streets, the decks, and the people who make this scene what it is.
We’d like to give a special thank you to Corwin Weik, President of The Athens Skatepark Project; Shelley Des Jardines, Treasurer; and Peggy Des Jardines, Secretary — for their tireless dedication and leadership in bringing this event (and so many others) to life. Thank you to the entire SPOA team, the volunteers, and everyone who stepped up to help. A huge shout-out also goes to the photographers who captured the energy, joy, and action of the day — your work helps keep these memories alive. And finally, thank you to the entire skateboarding community — the lifeblood of this park and the reason it continues to thrive after 20 years.
Here’s to another 20 years of pushing limits, building community, and keeping the concrete warm!
Official Websites & Organizations
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Athens Skatepark Project
A nonprofit dedicated to expanding skatepark access in Athens-Clarke County.
Website: https://athensskateparkproject.org
IG https://www.instagram.com/athensskateparkproject/ -
Skate Park of Athens – Athens-Clarke County Government
Official information about the park's features and amenities.
Website: Athens-Clarke County -
Skate Park of Athens – Explore Georgia
Tourism overview of the park's offerings.
Website: Explore Georgia
Sources: The history and event details above were compiled from local news reports, official announcements, and community websites, including Flagpole Magazine flagpole.com, Classic City News classiccitynews.com, WUGA News wuga.org, Each cited link provides more insight into SPOA’s impact and the 20th anniversary festivities. Enjoy the read, and keep skating!
