Awhile back, we got a DM about a crowdfunding campaign to build a skatepark at Boston Beach, in Jamaica’s Portland parish. The only video promoting it didn’t have words, just some random BMX street clips and people doing kickturns at a hastily built DIY quarterpipe by the water, so we weren’t sure what exactly was going on with it. Then, a bit later, we stumbled across a physical donation box in the Alis store, when we stopped by the Wonderland Bowl in Copenhagen’s Christiania commune. At that point, we realized that the project, which would be Jamaica’s first skatepark, was pretty serious, as the folks at Alis have had a hand in skatepark projects all over the world. They also mentioned that they had collected several thousand Euros in cash donations for it via the shop.
More recently, it’s come to light that the project is being built by Wonders Around the World, “a non-profit international and independent organisation of highly skilled skateboarders, builders, architects, engineers and entrepreneurs who volunteer to manifest these projects.” They work with local youth and community groups to ideate and execute skateparks, taking them all the way from concept to finished product. Like the many other skate aid organizations they partner with — they helped build the Suli skatepark in Iraq, alongside Make Life Skate Life — their goal is to “create joy, play and self development for the youth in places of the world where otherwise would not manifest itself – places where it’s highly needed and appreciated.” Hell yeah.
Anyway, this post is just to let you all know that the project has been a resounding success — they raised about £19,000 on their Crowdfunder page alone — and they’ve recently broken ground. Josh from WATW sent us photos from their first few days of pouring ‘crete. Congrats! Can’t wait to see what kind of rippers Jamaica has in store for us. – SKATEISM
Photos Courtesy of Wonders Around the World
The walls taking shape.
A bowled corner waiting to be born.
Every DIY build needs dogs, it’s a fact.
Some sweet WATW gear.
Getting to work on the flatbottom.
Not what most of us think of when we hear “DIY pool,” but just as rad.
Doggie door.
—
Follow the park’s progress on Instagram (@boston.bmxandskatepark).
