BLVD Owner Ramps Up Local Skate Park

The Martin Luther King Community Center's skating area has recently received make-over courtesy of Justin Villano, owner of The BLVD Shop on Thames Street.

Villano raised money and support to rebuild the concrete embankment at the center as a haven for Newport skateboarders and potential skate park.

"Hopefully [this is] the first of what we hope to be many obstacles for an entire public skate park,” says Villano.  The embankment, which had become cracked, eroded, and generally unsuitable to ride on, took about two full days to rebuild and is ready for use.

Villano has been organizing and facilitating Sunday “skate jams” at the community center's park for the last four summers.  He built the ramps and transported them to and from the park for public use, in addition to hosting various events, such as a park clean-up, which was sponsored by Vans Footwear two summers ago. 

As a business owner and active member of the skateboarding community, Villano said he wants to give back to the community in a permanent way. 

“I wanted to inspire the community to support skateboarding and see that it is a truly positive outlet for kids,” Villano said about his motivation for fixing up the park.  Unlike basketball courts and soccer fields, spaces for skateboarders to utilize on the Island are sparse. He said a major consequence is that skateboarders frequently put themselves into situations where they can be ticketed because there are so few alternative spots to skateboard.

“I think the town was especially supportive of my initial proposal because they knew it was a way to help deter kids from skating downtown and on historic monuments. . . Now with the new addition to the park the kids have a destination rather than skating around risking a ticket or violation, not to mention just ensuring better safety as they have an another option off busy streets.”  

The project, which was sponsored by Monster Energy, Narragansett Beer, Island Sports/Elemental Surf & Skate, and The BLVD Shop, was created by skate park designer Jus Martel.

“Upon approval of the project, I knew I wanted Jus Martel to pour the concrete,” says Villano.  “I’ve seen him do incredible work at other skate parks, including Greenside Skate Park in Middletown, and really wanted to bring in somebody local.”

Villano said local kids are excited about the new obstacle and thinks it will be a popular spot as the weather becomes nicer. 

“We hope to receive a lot of positive feedback over the next few months, which will help us gain leverage for building a full park in the near future," he said.