Blueprint Debuts Skateable Art Park and Coal Chute Pond Trail
June 22, 2022
Today, Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency, Leon County Government and the City of Tallahassee celebrated the new Skateable Art Park and Coal Chute Pond Trail with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The two projects represent a $2.8 million investment in the Southside and expand recreational opportunities in the community.
The Skateable Art Park and Coal Chute Pond Trail, both located at 810 FAMU Way, are part of Blueprint’s goal to cultivate amenities in the Southside and along the Capital Cascades Trail.
“Blueprint infrastructure projects are among our community’s most engaging, thoughtful and meaningful projects,” said Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency Board of Directors (IA Board) Chair and Leon County Board of County Commissioners Vice Chair Nick Maddox. “Today has something for everyone. This will be a place where people can come together as a community and enjoy themselves. It is something that we all benefit from.”
The Skateable Art Park is a world-class skate park and Tallahassee’s second public skate park. It embraces artistic elements to provide an optimal riding experience for skaters of all skill levels and a visually stimulating space for spectators. The centerpiece of the park is the 225-foot-long snake run, inspired by Florida A&M University’s mascot, which is the longest snake run in Florida.
“Melding arts and recreation, this skate park is poised to be a Tallahassee landmark and draw visitors from across the region,” Blueprint IA Board Vice Chair and Tallahassee Mayor Pro Tem Curtis Richardson said. “Both projects benefited from community engagement and are part of more than $315 million in investments the City, County and Blueprint are making in Tallahassee’s Southside.”
The Coal Chute Pond Trail, located adjacent to the Skateable Art Park, provides a recreational space for all citizens to enjoy. It offers a paved walking trail around the pond, lighting, shaded seating, water fountains, interactive musical instruments and cell phone charging stations.
“Blueprint is focused on developing a more livable, sustainable, vibrant community. Our close collaboration with Team Pain, the local skate community and nearby residents brought this project from idea to reality, and the positive response, including from youth in attendance today, tells us it is a job well done,” Blueprint Director Autumn Calder said.
The Skateable Art Park and Coal Chute Pond Trail are part of Blueprint’s Capital Cascades Trail Segment 3 project, which began construction in 2013. They complement a host of amenities along FAMU Way, including a community gathering area at Lake Anita, a multi-use trail, playground and more. The two projects are nestled among many destinations, including FAMU, Florida State University, Railroad Square Art Park, College Town and the St. Marks Trail.
“The Blueprint team were great to work with,” said Tim Payne, founder and president of Team Pain Skate Parks. “We’ve designed and built over 200 skate facilities worldwide, but this development was one of our most ambitious projects. It allowed us to use creativity while implementing the local riders’ input. I’m honored that Team Pain was able to be a part of this development that riders all over the country will want to check out.”
For more information about the project’s history and other Blueprint projects, visit BlueprintIA.org/projects.