Cushing Street Skate Park

Project Details

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We are Tucson natives Caleb Guitierrez and Kyle Araishi and have both been enthusiastic skateboarders for most of our lives. Both of us have also been actively participating in the cultural community for many years. We have helped organize and been involved with MOCA Tucson, The Monsoon Collective, Think Tank event space, The Rialto theater, Night of the Living music festival, La Cocina, BICAS, and have added to the community in many other ways.

We have the unique experience and connections to know what the Tucson skating and roller sports community needs and the ability to help get those needs met. That’s why we are reaching out to you to help build a new covered skate park beneath the freeway underpass at Cushing Street and the I-10. We think many people could benefit from the creation of the skate park: skateboarders of all ages in Tucson and surrounding areas, parents, local businesses, and partners who could contribute to the construction of the park. We look forward to working with you to help make this project a reality!

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• Heat and strong sunlight make Tucson’s uncovered skate parks unuseable 6 months out of the year because of possible sun-related injuries such as sunburns, dehydration and sunstroke.
• Monsoon rains and other precipitation make other uncovered skate parks unuseable. Without proper drainage and maintenance uncovered skate parks will also fill with puddles and pools which make them unsafe and a breeding ground for mosquitoes after it has rained.
• The concrete and other structures need more maintenance and experience more degradation because of exposure to the elements.

• The freeway overpass provides the shade needed for a year-round accessible skate park.
• Low noise impact on surrounding neighborhoods (lack of residential areas nearby).
• Easily accessible by the light rail system and bus system.
• Centralized location that can be a resource for the downtown area and all of Tucson.
• Proximity to businesses and services in the downtown area.

• Skateboarders off all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels would utilize the skate park. They can use this space for practice, recreation, and events.
• Roller derby teams and roller skaters. Member’s of Tucson’s roller derby community have already reached out to us about their enthusiasm about the Cushing Street Skate Park as an area to practice roller skating and for training year round. Right now they are limited to renting space indoors or only practicing at night time at schools or other areas with flat skateable surfaces.
• Family and friends who want to watch roller sports, connect with their kids, and meet people in the community.

Social Benefits

• Skateparks can provide physical activity for kids not interested in traditional team sports.
• This skate park could provide after-school activities and a place for physical activity during the summer months.
• Community skate parks provide a safe and challenging place for skaters of all levels to develop as athletes.
• Skateboarding and other roller sports are two of the fastest growing activities in the United States with more than 14 million participants.
• Public skate parks help get kids “off the streets” and into a safe place. Without a public skate park, kids are more likely to skate in unauthorized and potentially dangerous spaces.
• Creating a community skatepark will help minimize damage skaters do to public and private property.
• For example, In the City of Calgary, 75% of 24 communities surveyed after the skatepark opened reported a significant reduction in the “street” skate problem. This can help eliminate the need for police and official time used to respond to and report on skating issues.
• A professionally designed and built skatepark acts as an extension of the local skateboarders’ specific needs. The skaters build a sense of ownership by participating in design conversations and the process of getting the skate park built.
• Public skateparks provide healthy activity for kids and help eliminate boredom which has been identified as a common reason for drug use.

Economic Benefits

• The skate parks proximity the light rail system will mean businesses and establishments from the University of Arizona, 4th Ave, downtown, and the Mercado San Augustin will have an increased customer base.
• We have reached out to local companies and partners who are interested in the building, maintaining, and marketing of the Cushing Street Skate Park. This would be an economic benefit to them and the local community.
• Skateparks help create and sustain the need for quality skateboard shops. This helps bring new jobs and tax revenue to the community.
• Skateparks can help generate revenue and a sense of purpose for instructors/mentors who can instill their love and knowledge of the sport in others.
• The community should set up skateboard lessons and camps to help teach beginner through experienced riders all-year-round.
• This creates a winning environment for the skaters, instructors and community.
• A professionally designed skatepark will attract out-of-town visitors who will spend money within the community.
• A public skatepark makes the community appear to be invested in the youth and active lifestyles. This will attract new residents to your community.

• YOU! We need and want the involvement of all members of the community.
• The City of Tucson and ADOT are an integral part of getting the Cushing Street Skate Park built.
• The Tucson Parks Foundation is a 501 (C)(3) collecting donations to fund the building of the skate park.
• Dreamland Skateparks from Oregon have contacted us about designing and planning a modern “under-bridge” skate park. They have years of experience and expertise building skateparks in similar locations the Cushing St. and i10 underpass. ​http://www.dreamlandskateparks.com/
• VANS nationwide shoe and clothing company, which Caleb ​Gutierrez works for, has expressed an interest in helping fund the park after the location is approved by the city. http://www.vans.com/
• CREATIVE TUCSON is providing equipment and expertise to produce video to promote the Cushing Street Skate Park. ​https://www.creativetucson.org/
• CREAM Design and Print is donating graphic design and marketing expertise as well as making promotional items to build interest in the skate park. ​http://creamforever.com/
• There are various organizations and businesses we are working with to host fundraising and informational events. ○ Che’s Lounge and BLX skate shop are organizing a block party a block party on 7th St. to raise awareness and fundraise. ○ MOCA Tucson wants to host a fundraising and informational event that focuses on the photography and art of skateboarding history and community. ○ Monsoon Collective is having a musical event to raise money at the end of October. ○ Think Tank event space will be hosting a skateboarding event with live music in November. ○ 191 Toole and Rialto will be hosting a concert with local bands and proceeds will be donated towards the skate park.

We know there are hills left to climb before the Cushing Street Skate Park becomes a reality. We are willing to put in the work with the city government, local businesses, and the Tucson community to get this project built because it will be beneficial for us, everyone involved, and generations of Tucsonans to come.

Here are some steps we are taking now to lay the groundwork for Arizona’s first covered skate park and to achieve our fundraising goals to make this dream a reality.

• We are in the process of forming an LLC to help raise donations for construction and maintenance costs.
• We are reaching out to all members of the community to see how and in what ways they want to get involved.
• We are organizing more events to raise awareness and get fundraising in the new year.

Campaign Fundraising Goal: $40,000.

Shared by

Caleb Gutierrez – calebaz77@gmail.com – 520.405.2984

Kyle Araishi – kylethedude@hotmail.com – 503.453.9758