What's next for National DIY Skatepark Inc.? A look at Milwaukee's first outdoor skatepark

A group of Milwaukee skateboarders didn't ask for permission when they opened a skate park beneath Interstate 94 in the Walker's Point neighborhood four years ago.

Known as National DIY Skatepark, it uses part of an underused parking lot at West National Avenue and South Eighth Street.

The skate park recently was approved for $100,000 in city funding to provide lighting, fencing and other improvements.

The park's progress is due to continuing community support, said Dylan Shanahan, treasurer of National DIY Skatepark Inc., the nonprofit which operates it.

Transforming a parking lot into a skate park

The space has undergone quite a transformation since May 2020 when the skate park was started.

What used to be a rundown parking lot is now a diverse forum for people to meet and connect with others, said Shanahan ? who called it Milwaukee's first outdoor skate park.

He recalls the original lot being popular for "drug use and prostitution," adding that it was also a homeless encampment. Despite the space being rough around the edges, Shanahan saw its potential and his team got to work.

Since his team has revamped the place, all of the previous trouble has evaporated. Former solicitors have gone elsewhere, and he says the neighborhood is very grateful.

"It's been a welcomed addition for the neighbors, because there was a lot of problems down here," adds Shanahan.

Ideal location underneath I-94

Situated beneath I-94, DIY National has become an integral part of the community. Being located underneath a bridge is ideal for many weather conditions, according to Shanahan.

"It's shade in the summer, and in the rain you can skate," he said.

"It's got a lot of built-in amenities that keeps outdoor skating possible, where you don't have to pay a fortune for that. A lot of the more famous DIYS, in the United States especially, are under new freeways," said Shanahan.

These aspects were influential in selecting the location. In fact, Shanahan saw the potential because the structure of the space shared a likeness with other famous DIY skateparks.

Inspiration for the skate park came to him during the Covid-19 pandemic, where he credits time being the biggest resource. Many people were especially willing to donate during this difficult period; in fact, the vast majority of what is inside the park is from community donations.

"I thought this was a crazy idea, but I never thought it would actually happen. The right people just came together. ...It's almost like it was meant to be," says Shanahan.

The construction and maintenance that went into DIY

When construction began, bags of cement and water were poured into a tarp. This was shaken until consistent, and then applied to basic forms. They knew what they were doing, but once donations started coming in, they were able to purchase a mixer. From there, building became much easier.

Since then, the team continues to look after the park. According to Shanahan, "We routinely maintain the lot by keeping graffiti down, picking up trash, and sweeping the dirt and grime from the freeway."

Beginning a new project during the pandemic was not without its challenges, however. Uncertainty involving safety and public health remained a concern. Organizing and developing a consistent schedule took time, and building was sporadic at first.

DIY immediately well-received by the community

Nevertheless, they persisted with construction, receiving a lot of support from community members from the very get-go.

"I didn't have to convince anybody really. I just told them what we were doing, and they were like, 'Hats off to you for taking the initiative.' I thought we were going to have a lot of pushback actually, but they really welcomed us with open arms," says Shanahan.

The team has been proactive about building community and involving members in this project. They accomplished this through attending neighborhood meetings frequently and really listening to people.

"We have been doing everything as much to the book as we can do. Anything they ask of us, we try to meet them at their level, " says Shanahan.

Creating their Instagram @nationaldiy has also helped them get the word out about the park. DIY draws in all age groups, ranging from youth to adults.

"You can really run into anybody down here," adds Dylan.

Today they continue to invite everyone and all ideas into the space, hosting events such as skate jams and raffles. Youth programs will be offered in the future, as well as a mural project inviting local artists.

"I'm always trying to champion contribution and freedom and trying to bring the whole community in. My whole goal is finding harmony within this area," says Shanahan.

Thanks to the dedication and skill of those on the board, the operation is running smoothly and better than ever. Support from the community has allowed for new methods of raising money, such as crowdfunding. Their GoFundMe along with city funding will facilitate many new improvements.

Improvement plans already underway for the park

Lighting will be installed to improve visibility for skaters, and a drainage issue on the end of the park will soon be replaced as well. Fencing will be torn out and raised to protect against the freeways, and the rest of the funding will go towards building the perimeter of the park.

Ideally the skate park will be finished by next year, but Shanahan is not stressed about rushing the process. Construction and working with the city takes time, so for now they are "going with the flow."

What DIY means to Dylan Shanahan

Shanahan has been skateboarding for the past 21 years, having started when he lived in central Wisconsin. From his extensive experience, he can confirm how positive skateparks are towards personal growth and well-being.

According to him, there is not as much as support for skateboarding as there is for other sports; so, creating this space where people can enjoy the sport together has been paramount.

Even the name "DIY" has taken on a special significance for him. Although the acronym does colloquially translate to "do-it-yourself," for Shanahan this was in the most literal sense. The lack of institutional support towards skateboarding meant that his team needed to start completely from scratch.

Shanahan is proud of the effort and ingenuity that has gone into building the park, stating, "Nothing has challenged me personally or professionally." With their diligence and the community's encouragement, National DIY Skatepark Inc. has become a fixture in the area.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: National DIY Skatepark Inc., local outdoor skatepark, Milwaukee, Wisconsin