Picayune skatepark project gains momentum

PICAYUNE, Miss. (WLOX) — Organizers pushing for a skatepark to be built in Picayune say progress is ramping up.

A rendering shows what the future park may look like. Picayune leaders, including Mayor Jim Luke, have given full support for the project and have announced the city is pursuing an additional grant to help with funding.

The project, designed by Fifth Pocket Skateparks, has been the dream of two local residents for several years. They say they can’t wait for what the park will bring to the community.

“Skating is bizarre because you expect it to be a subculture, but it really is a common denominator for a lot of people because skateboarding in and of itself is now a group of people,” Jacob Guthrie said. “It’s a group of peoples because you have full-blown athletes who skateboard, you have people who play music who skateboard, you have people who cut hair who skateboard.”

“It’s a life lesson,” Pete Taggard said. “Trying to learn a new trick, you do it over and over and you wipe out over and over, and you just keep getting back up. That’s a life lesson. You get knocked down, you get back up and go at it again.”

Much of the funding for the project will come through grants and donations from community businesses.

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