World-Record Skateboarder Helps Bring New Skatepark To Copiague

COPIAGUE, NY — The Town of Babylon has opened a new poured-concrete skatepark at Tanner Park, replacing aging prefabricated ramps at the waterfront facility.

Supervisor Rich Schaffer and Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez joined town officials, world-record skateboarder and Lindenhurst native Chad Caruso and local skaters Wednesday, Sept. 23, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The new park replaces ramps that town officials said had deteriorated over the years because of the waterfront location and exposure to salt air.

The skatepark was designed by California-based Spohn Ranch with input from Caruso, who helped lead efforts to replace the old park and shape the new design. Other local skaters also contributed ideas. Laser Industries Inc. constructed the park.

For Caruso, the project marks a return to where his involvement in the local skateboarding community began.

As a teenager in 2004, Caruso and his friends petitioned the town to create the original Tanner Park skatepark. He has also hosted the annual Tanner Skate Jam at the park each September for years.

"I helped petition for a skatepark here over twenty years ago, and I've seen firsthand how much it's meant to so many people, myself included," Caruso said. "I'm excited to see this new park bring fresh energy to the local skate community and give the next generation those same experiences."

Caruso holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest skateboard crossing of the United States.

He first set the record in 2023, skating approximately 3,162 miles from Venice Beach, California, to Virginia Beach in 57 days. In June, he broke his own record, skating from Venice Beach to Jacksonville, Florida, in 39 days.

Caruso used both trips to raise money for Natural High, a nonprofit focused on helping young people develop healthy interests and passions.

"Twenty years ago, a group of local teenagers came to Town Hall and asked for a place to skate, and we built it," Schaffer said. "Now one of those teenagers has helped us build its replacement. That's what happens when young people get involved in their community. This park will serve skaters at Tanner Park for decades to come."

Martinez, who chairs the town's Parks and Recreation Committee, said feedback from local skaters helped guide the project.

"Chad has been fighting for this skatepark since he was a teenager, and his fingerprints are on every part of it," Martinez said. "Our skaters told us what they needed, and we listened. The old ramps couldn't stand up to the elements at the water's edge. This park is built to handle salt air, heavy use and years of skating. It gives kids and adults a safe, first-class place to ride right here in their own town."