Though the closure of the Black Pearl Skate Park has been met with disappointment, skateboarder enthusiast Philipp Richter said “it’s not the end” for the sport on island.
The skate park, which closed at the end of August after 19 years, was one of the largest such outdoor facilities in the world, catering to many within the community, including at-risk youth.
Richter, member of the Antilles Crew skateboard group, told the Compass that while the closure of the park is a hard pill to swallow, it doesn’t stop those who are passionate about skating and doing tricks on scooters and BMX bikes, from going to areas within the community to continue their hobby.
“We go into town on the weekends; parking lots that we visit, and we will just be skating,” Richter said. “We have a little skate park at Mariners Cove that we have been building, so our focus will be to make that even better since we don’t have the Black Pearl anymore.”
He noted that those who use the Mariners Cove spot, which is decorated in graffiti, have spent their own money to build ramps in order to keep their hobbies alive.
“Mariners is what we call a DIY skate park,” he said. “So, if you want a ramp, you have to go get the frames, get the concrete, get the fill, everything you need to build. You can call it a labour of love. It’s an investment.”
Outside of the Mariners Cove location, Richter said he and his crew enjoy stunting across several parking lots in George Town, sometimes in the early hours of the morning when the streets are quiet.
“On public holidays, maybe a Saturday night or Sunday night, we are going to skate in town, and we are respectful people. We are not going to damage property and do foolishness,” he said, adding that they have skated in all sorts of places at 2am, and “cops have driven past us because we are very mindful”.
One of their go-to spots is the A. L. Thompson’s parking lot. He recalls a time when the owner of the retail hardware store was in the area while they were skating.
“I remember there was an area [in the A. L. Thompson’s parking lot] being paved and one of our friends was being a goof and skating over there; coincidentally [A. L. Thompson] was driving past and called security and said, ‘Tell them I don’t mind if they skate in my parking lot, just don’t skate where I’m getting this redone’. I remember thinking that’s pretty cool. I have a lot of respect for the Thompson family.”
No place for the youngsters
While older skaters have more options, Richter admitted that midnight streets are no place for a kids and the structures at Mariners Cove aren’t suitable for beginners.
“If you are a part of the younger generation, and you don’t have a crew, just starting out, I wouldn’t recommend Mariners,” Richter said. “It can be intimidating at times and the question is where are they going to go.
“For the next generation just getting started, it’s sad to say, but we might lose them.”
Skate park’s closure leaves void for supporting at-risk youth
Many have expressed their concerns following the closure of the Black Pearl SKate Park, some noting that Cayman lost an important tool in the fight to turn around the lives of at-risk youth.
Generally speaking, Richter noted that parents simply won’t allow their kids to skate on the roads and rightfully so.
“The park made sense; you had a supervisor there with a first aid kit just in case you got hurt,” he said. “You have more support there then you have out in the streets – in the streets, it’s really up to you.”
A proposal for change
Richter said although government now owns the land where Mariners is located, he said they shouldn’t put their priorities there should they choose to address the skate park closure.
“In my opinion there are other things to do and what I would, say if – a big if – government is looking at the downfall of the skate park and plan to do something significant somehow … just put a few ramps where existing parks are.”
He said that one issue with the Black Pearl Skate Park was that it wasn’t convenient for those living in distant districts.
“When you’re over the age of 18 and you can drive it’s a lot cheaper for you but if you are a kid and your parents have to get you a scooter, then they have to drive you to the skate park, then they have to pay rental fees, and let’s just say you live in Savannah, Bodden Town, that’s a long drive.”
Cayman has over 15 parks across the island, some filled with sand pits, swings and slides, but Richter said it’s time to add some more elements to playgrounds.
“I mean, there are swings and what not, that’s great for kids but what about a 12-year-old who has a bike; he doesn’t want to play on the swings, he wants to ride his bike,” he said.
“So, maybe if he had some ramps and stuff at the same parks to accommodate them, I would say you are doing a service.”
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Dart, along with other island donors should be jumping on this project…serving the people, not their bank accounts. Its a no-brainer. 🙁
It’s great to see skaters not giving up. I suggest that The Cayman Islands Government see the benefit along with companies who have a vested interest in the Cayman Islands, invest in a new park. Mariners Cove his a great spot not only scenic it has the elements of the skate culture incorporated into it and it is skateboarder built. They are so committed using their own money to make ramps, rails and other terrain which skateboarders enjoy the challenge of navigating. Skateboarding gets kids outside, they have challenges which helps their developing brain over come problems, develops their imagination and helps them understand complex problems, it builds confidence at the same time getting together with like minded people. There is an opportunity here for the entire community to benefit in building another park with the skateboard community playing the role of helping to design it, maintain it and supervise those that use it. In other words those that love it understand the users of the park and have the opportunity of cultivating a new generation of skaters. If properly put together televised competitions can be brought to the Cayman Islands, tourism will benefit as a result businesses will flourish on Island. We have talent here in the Cayman Islands so much so that we have the potential of being proud when we see our skaters sponsored traveling the world spreading the word about the Cayman Islands. Ultimately we can see our young people bringing home a medal from the Olympics, street leagues, X games. Our kids have a place to go and their parents can be thrilled to see their children achieving tricks that they only thought possible by professional skaters in videos they have watched. I encourage all to see the potential, skateboarding helped many children who were at risk navigate adolescents eventually becoming productive citizens in the Cayman Islands, teaching their own children to skate. I witnessed for my self the benefits of skateboarding so did my wife we spent nearly every day at the skatepark watching Brian Myers, Sean Myers and Juliana Myers, we have memories which we cherish. I am glad our children grew up around skateboarding as it taught them so many positive life lessons. as a result they are all making their mark at their respective carriers.
Our family came from Colorado USA to Grand Cayman for several years as our son, Alex, an only child, enjoyed skateboarding. We met Stephen Myers and his family while there. Alex was friends with Sean and Henry and many others. In fact, we were there when a skateboard competition was being held and Alex won his division as King of the Black Pearl. Alex and us, have many many fond memories of the Black Pearl Skatepark and the Grand Cayman community which was so welcoming to us. Stephen Myers even invited Alex to skate the ramp with his family at his home.
It is a shame that such a beautiful skatepark has closed. It would be amazing if the Grand Cayman Recreation division could take it over for the community.
We will be back to Grand Cayman in February. We love it there!
Hi to Stephen Myers and family. Stephen you did quite a bit for the skating community. Thank you.
Barb and Clark Brunelle