Brasshouse Boardroom in Mansfield and Stoke Run Skatepark in Butler have done extensive outreach to teach and encourage young kids and girls to become skateboarders. “We’re really excited for 2025 and the next couple of years. This funding gives us a head start on necessary things, like improving the parking areas and building new obstacles on […]
Brasshouse Boardroom in Mansfield and Stoke Run Skatepark in Butler have done extensive outreach to teach and encourage young kids and girls to become skateboarders. “We’re really excited for 2025 and the next couple of years. This funding gives us a head start on necessary things, like improving the parking areas and building new obstacles on the north side of the tennis courts,” Goodwin said.The skatepark is part of a recent Liberty Park resurgence, including a new basketball court constructed in 2024 at the 24-acre park, as well as ongoing infrastructure work and the remodeling of the former pool bathhouse into an open air pavilion that is taking place in 2025.Organizers plan to leverage the city’s investment into additional public, philanthropic and private support over the next few years.
MANSFIELD — Liberty DIY skatepark, located at Liberty Park in Mansfield, has secured crucial seed funding from the City of Mansfield to advance its growth over the next three years.The parks department has earmarked ,000 per year for the next three years to help purchase supplies and equipment for the improvement and maintenance of the skatepark in the park off Grace Street on the city’s northeast side.About Liberty DIY skatepark:The skater-led effort to transform underused and dilapidated tennis courts into an active center for skateboarding began in late 2023 when Tanner Hodges officially signed adoption papers with the city to assume responsibility for the development of the skatepark.
Hodges, a skateboarder, has worked closely with his friend, Gage Goodwin, and a growing group of volunteers to lead a remarkable first phase of transformation at Liberty DIY.Skate Ohio, a recently formed non-profit, led the renovation of Louis Beach skatepark in Shelby in 2024 with help from a ,000 investment from the manufacturer, Arcelor Mittal. The organization has moved on to a proposed upgrade of the surface of Lexington’s skatepark from asphalt to concrete.The park now attracts hundreds of skateboarders every week from all over the region during the warmer months.
A growing grassroots movement
The effort had been self-funded through donations and fundraisers until receiving an ongoing commitment from the Parks Department. Inspiration for Liberty DIY is found close by at the 9th Street DIY skatepark in Canton. Canton is one of a number of very successful DIY skateparks built and led by skateboarders all over the globe.Liberty DIY skatepark is a community-led project created by local skateboarders and volunteers. It is part of the Mansfield City Parks and is managed through an “adopt-a-park” agreement.
It aims to provide a safe and accessible space for skating and community building for people of all ages and backgrounds. The skatepark is located at 577 Grace St., inside Liberty Park in Mansfield.Public and private investment in skateboarding in and around Mansfield is on the upswing.“We’ve seen the hard work put in by the Mansfield skateboarders at Liberty. It’s impressive. We’re excited to help this passionate and resourceful group move the park forward,” said Mark Abrams, superintendent of the city’s Parks & Recreation Department.
