Skaters for Public Skateparks (SPS) updated our Board of Directors in 2012. SPS now has nine directors which oversee the daily activities including research projects, consultation and fundraising. Each director brings their own unique experience to the table to make SPS a more effective organization. Our ultimate goal is to see more quality skateparks being built and working with local governments to reach this goal.
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Carter Dennis- Executive Director
San Antonio, TX
Carter Dennis frontside air at the LBJ Skatepark in San Antonio.
Carter Dennis was one of the founding members of SPS in 2004, and has been skateboarding since 1987. Carter started advocating for public skateparks in 1998, and has helped countless communities in getting public skateparks built. Over the years Carter has dedicated a great deal of time researching skatepark siting, design, construction and stewardship issues.
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Chad Balcom- SPS Secretary
Portland, OR
Chad Balcom going over the hole at the McMinnville skatepark in Oregon.
Chad Balcom is a founding member of SPS and has worked with numerous cities on developing public skateparks. Chad started his advocacy in the Midwest and now works with cities throughout the Northwest in developing quality public skateparks.
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Mike Leeds- SPS Treasurer
Wenatchee, WA
Mike Leeds 5-0 grind on a backyard ramp.
Mike Leeds is a married father of four who started skateboarding in the early 80′s. In 2007, Mike founded the Wenatchee Valley Skateparks and completed their first small DIY skatepark in July of 2010. In early 2010, Mike was adopted into the Skaters for Public Skateparks Non-Profit Organization as a Wenatchee Chapter.
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Chris Gilligan- SPS IT Director
Whitwell, TN
Chris Gilligan at the Mt. Hood bowl in Oregon.
Chris Gilligan works as a web developer, and has helped us maintain our website since 2004. Chris is a founding member of SPS and we would not be where we are today with out Gilligan’s expertise.
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Ben Wixon- Director of Development-Programming & Instruction
Portland, OR
Ben Wixon with a frontside ollie over the doorway at Pier Park in Portland, Oregon.
Ben Wixon is an educator and published author with over 25 years of skateboarding experience. As a skater Ben has endorsed various shop and factory sponsors, competed in international competitions, helped to design and build numerous skateparks, judged contests, and performed in public demonstrations. He has taught and managed skate camps and programs in Tempe, Chandler, and Phoenix Arizona, Maui Hawaii, as well as Portland and Mt. Hood Oregon. In 2009, his book Skateboarding: Instruction, Programming, and Skatepark Design was published internationally by Human Kinetics. Ben is our director for the Drop-In Skatepark Accreditation Program, promoting safety and mentoring skills for skateboarders.
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Bob Chandler- Director of Skaters for Eugene Skateparks
Eugene, OR
Bob Chandler heads up the Skaters for Eugene Skateparks in Eugene, Oregon.
Bob Chandler is the co-owner of Tactics Board Shop in Eugene, OR. For the past few years Bob has been heading up the SPS subchapter Skaters for Eugene Skateparks. Their goal is to get a large, covered, flagship skatepark built under the Washington-Jefferson Bridge.
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Ashley Mott- Director of Research and Development
Denver, CO
Ashley grinding over the stairs at the bowl in Bennett, CO.
Ashley Mott has been a member of SPS since 2005 and also founded the Colorado Coalition for Public Skateparks (CCPS). Ashley has been skateboarding since 1992 and enjoys riding Colorado’s many skateparks and backyard spots. She has advocated for several skateparks along the Front Range of Colorado and headed up the Bennett DIY Skatepark project. Ashley also publishes a skateboard zine called Bad Egg.
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Teresa Waters- Content Coordinator
Teresa Waters skating at the park in Cedar Park, TX.
Teresa Waters started skating in 2010, and enjoys vert, bowls, and slalom. Teresa also has six years experience as a State Chairman for USAG with experience in working with that large nonprofit sports organization. She is an AFPA certified professional fitness trainer and NESTA certified yoga instructor with over 17 years in the health and fitness industry.
She has worked with various cities to improve skateparks in Virginia, Georgia and Texas, as well as to promote safety awareness and public relations
between skaters and the cities they live in.
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Ty Smith-Director of Development-Programming & Instruction
Castlegar, BC
Ty Smith teaching the local kids how to skate in Castlegar, BC.
Ty Smith, originally from Moana Beach, Australia started skateboarding in the 80′s when the surf was flat. Picking it up again in the late 90′s after arriving in Canada Ty is a qualified school teacher and is currently the coordinator at the Castlegar Rotary Skatepark and Kinnaird Youth Indoor Skatepark in Castlegar,BC. In the summer of 2011/12 Ty has coordinated a free drop in skateboarding instruction program at the Castlegar Park which has been accessed by over 300 youth. For the last 3 years he has also been promoting skateboarding through the Kootenay Skateboard Series. Ty is also working with sk8shoes4kids who goal is to get shoes to youth who are not able to afford them. When time permits Ty also blog on bcskateboarding.org. Passionate about the potential to bring skateboarding into schools across North America he is thrilled to be working with SPS team.
I have some photos to contribute to your web site. Do you have an e-mail address I may send them to?
skateparkinfo@gmail.com
Carter Dennis, do you have any public quotes or comments I can include in my research paper about skateparks?
yes. If your city doesnt have a skatepark, then your city is the skatepark!