Support Us Button Widget

Downtown Raleigh’s first skate park breaks ground

The Conlon Family Skatepark is a kick-push away from Smoky Hollow.

Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin and skater Adrian Mangano at the Skate Raleigh groundbreaking in front of downtown Raleigh's skyline.

Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin congratulates Adrian Mangano, a visionary behind the project.

Photo by RALtoday

Skate Raleigh officially broke ground on downtown Raleigh’s first skate park on Wednesday, March 22. Located at the future Smoky Hollow Park along Capital Boulevard, Conlon Family Skatepark will be for skaters and bikers of all ages and levels — and it will be the first thing people see driving into downtown.

“The design is sort of like an enhanced City Plaza,” Board President Stephen Mangano told RALtoday. “We want it to be like a second backyard to Raleigh.”

Over the next two months, the now vacant concrete lot near Smoky Hollow will be transformed into a street-style skate park designed by New Line Skateparks. After entering the park from Dortch Street, skaters and spectators will be greeted with 11,000 sqft of refinished asphalt and concrete, decked out with stairs, rails, ramps, and box jumps. Bonus: Expect food trucks to post up.

“We’re giving people a safe and accessible place to engage with one of the most popular sports in the world,” Executive Director Cody Charland said.

A rendering of Skate Raleigh's park plans.

Site plans for the Conlon Family Skatepark.

Courtesy of Skate Raleigh

The base park will cost $300,000, with a possibility for expansion if $125,000 more is raised. The addition could include a 10,000-sqft section dedicated to BMX.

Completion of the skate park is slated for May — once it opens, it will operate for two years until construction begins on Smoky Hollow Park. Although the skate park is temporary, Skate Raleigh is working with the City of Raleigh to identify possible locations for permanent skate parks in and around downtown. Yes, multiple parks.

Skate Raleigh is hosting a fundraising event featuring food, music, and art auctions on Sunday, April 16 at Raleigh Union Station. Tickets start at $40. We’ll be there for the aerial bike stunts.

More from RALtoday
Instead of throwing your pumpkins away, consider donating them to local farms through Pumpkins for Pigs.
Spoiler alert: Traffic isn’t great in the 919. We dove into the Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s congestion data so you don’t have to.
Beer drinkers can rate brews all over the world on the popular app Untappd — here are some of Raleigh’s most popular beers. Don’t forget to save this one for lager.
Including gifts for significant others, retirees, holiday parties, young people, and gifts that ship fast.
The new facility will expand the convention center’s downtown footprint + impact.
American humorist — and Raleigh native — is coming home for “An Evening with David Sedaris” at the Martin Marietta Center on April 18, 2026, and tickets are on sale now
Show some love to your fave businesses in Raleigh.
This apple sage vinaigrette from Whiskey Kitchen is perfect for any and all autumnal salads thanks to seasonal ingredients + easy prep.
Check out these 20+ yoga studios around the City of Oaks, which offer holistic wellness outside the studio, smoothies, international retreats, and more.
We’ve rounded up three apple + pumpkin orchards and three local cideries to check out this fall.