Atlantic City Breaks Ground on New Skate Park at Uptown School Complex: A Win for Youth, Wellness, and Community
Atlantic City is once again putting its youth first and reimagining public spaces with purpose. This week, Mayor Marty Small, Sr. and City officials broke ground on a brand-new Skate Park at the Uptown School Complex—marking the city’s second official skate park and reinforcing a strong, people-centered vision for recreation and community development.
Designed through a collaborative effort between City government, AC Rec, and skateAC, the project reflects Atlantic City’s commitment to creating safe, inclusive, and dynamic spaces that inspire creativity, connection, and healthy activity.
“Atlantic City is building for the future—and that means listening to our young people and investing in spaces that serve them,” said Mayor Small. “This skate park is about more than ramps and rails—it’s about opportunity, pride, and community.”
Supporting Youth Through Sport and Space
Following the success of the city's first skate park, this second location was born out of growing demand and a clear desire among local youth for designated, professional-quality spaces to practice, play, and gather.
Preliminary designs include a mix of ramps, rails, and flow elements tailored to skaters of all skill levels. The final layout is being guided by direct input from the community—especially the voices of local skaters, parents, and youth mentors—to ensure it meets real needs while promoting safety and accessibility.
Partnership-Driven, People-Focused
The development of the Uptown skate park was made possible through the strong partnership between AC Rec and grassroots organization skateAC, whose mission centers on advancing skateboarding and creating positive outlets for youth in Atlantic City.
Their input helped shape the project’s vision, features, and outreach, making it a true community-driven success story.
“This is how change happens—from the ground up, with people who care,” said Mayor Small. “We’re proud to work alongside residents, advocates, and young leaders to build something meaningful together.”
A Space for Expression, Growth, and Belonging
City leaders made clear that the skate park is about more than sports—it’s a vehicle for youth development, self-expression, and community engagement. It reflects the Small administration’s broader mission to reimagine public spaces as platforms for equity, culture, and opportunity.
Regular construction updates will be shared with the public as the project advances—part of the City’s commitment to transparency, excitement, and civic pride.
Once completed, the Uptown skate park is expected to become a vibrant hub for skaters, spectators, and families alike—anchoring a new chapter of energy and inclusion in Atlantic City’s evolving landscape.
This project is yet another example of how Mayor Marty Small is building a city that listens, leads, and lifts up its people—starting with the next generation.
