City Celebrates Blake Doyle Skatepark Groundbreaking

The City of Pensacola celebrated the start of construction on the Blake Doyle Skatepark at Hollice T. Williams Park with a groundbreaking event today, Tuesday Aug. 2, kicking off a highly anticipated and monumental project for the Pensacola skate community.

The Pensacola community joined Mayor Grover Robinson, the City of Pensacola and Upward Intuition to celebrate this exciting project, which will include approximately 25,000 square feet of skateable surface area for skaters of all ages and skill levels. The skatepark will feature a beginner area, multilevel skate plaza, and two skate bowls, along with an additional 5,700 square feet of surrounding sidewalk and gathering areas.

"I know there are so many people in our community who have been waiting for this day," Mayor Robinson said. "I'm incredibly excited to see the Blake Doyle Skatepark project take this monumental step toward becoming a reality, and I'd like to thank everyone who worked together to make this happen. I look forward to providing our skating community a dedicated place to skate right here in the City of Pensacola."

The groundbreaking event featured remarks from Mayor Robinson, District 6 Councilwoman Ann Hill, District 3 Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May, District 4 Escambia County Commissioner Robert Bender, Jon Shell of Upward Intuition and Jane Lauter of the Kugelman Family Foundation. The event took place at the future skatepark location at Hollice T. Williams Park, under Interstate 110 along North Hayne Street, between Jackson Street and La Rua Street.

Additional improvements through the project will include stadium seating, sidewalks, concrete gathering areas and artificial turf areas, benches, multi-colored concrete, trash cans and a small stage area.

"My hope and prayer for once this park is built is that it will offer the next generations something like what it’s already given me," Shell said. "A place where they can learn to overcome obstacles, have something to work towards, be encouraged and supported, and feel like they have a place to belong. Moving forward with Upward Intuition, I’m hopeful that this skatepark will show all of the kids that helped make this happen that they have the ability to take on meaningful projects of their own and will have the confidence and skills to get started because they have already done it."

Construction of the Blake Doyle Skatepark is expected to be completed in summer 2023, weather permitting. The City of Pensacola awarded a contract to Bear Construction for construction of the skatepark, which will be managed by the city's Public Works and Facilities Department.

The project was funded by the City of Pensacola's Local Option Sales Tax, Community Redevelopment Agency, private donors, and the American Rescue Plan Act. The project design was funded by an Escambia County RESTORE Direct Component Grant. HDR Engineering and Kimley-Horn were selected to perform the overall park design and skate park design with the assistance of American Ramp Company.

The skatepark is part of the overall transformation of Hollice T. Williams Park through a joint project with the City of Pensacola and Escambia County, which will ultimately create a place for community members of all ages to connect and enjoy activities in the heart of the city. The Hollice T. Williams Park will also serve to improve water quality and reduce stormwater in the area.

To learn more about the Hollice T. Williams Stormwater Park project, visit myhtwpark.com.

Click the map to enlarge

For more information or general questions, email pio@cityofpensacola.com. To stay informed about what's happening with City of Pensacola government, sign up for email or text notifications through Notify Me or follow @CityofPensacola on social media.