The gathering included a ceremonial first dig and speeches from key stakeholders–including Spindale Town Manager Scott Webber. After thanking everyone who worked together to bring the project from conception to reality, Mr. Webber emphasized the purpose of the park as a place for community and connection.

“Our vision was to create a space where everyone can come together,” he said. “We are not just building a skate park and pump track facility, we are laying the foundation for a vibrant community hub that will inspire and energize generations to come.”

The new park is part of an ongoing effort by Rutherford Bound to enhance recreation and community assets that cater to both residents and visitors. North Slope Skate and Ride exemplifies this effort, offering space for outdoor enjoyment and community connection.

Mickey Bland, Mayor of Spindale, took the podium during the ceremony to thank all who collaborated to make the project possible–particularly Spindale United Methodist Church. The church’s congregation voted unanimously to donate the land that will be the site of the future skate park and pump track. The park will be located where Church Street, Mill Street, and East Main Street come together, with connectivity to Spindale’s vibrant downtown and the Thermal Belt Rail Trail.

The plan for North Slope Skate and Ride includes a skatepark with a concrete, in-ground bowl, quarter-pipes, rails, and ledges, as well as a Velosolutions asphalt pump track. A custom sign and information kiosk will welcome visitors, and a 20 x 20-foot picnic shelter will provide a place for skaters, bikers, and onlookers to rest or picnic. Plans also include restrooms, bike racks, and a public plaza. Streetscape elements such as new sidewalks, landscaping, lighting, and branded furnishings will provide a seamless experience with Spindale’s downtown area. The American Ramp Company, a national leader in skateparks, will be responsible for the final design and construction of the skatepark and pump track.

The Master Plan for North Slope Park was created by Destination by Design, a multidisciplinary economic development, planning, and design firm based in Boone, NCs. The American Ramp Company, a national leader in skateparks, will be responsible for the final design and construction of the skatepark and pump track.

Don Cason, Executive Director for the Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority, closed the groundbreaking ceremony by acknowledging those who worked together to fund the North Slope project, including Meta (formerly Facebook), the State of North Carolina, Rutherford County, RCTDA, and several other charitable organizations including RHI Legacy Foundation, Carolina Foothills Foundation, and Stonecutter Foundation.

“Here in Rutherford County, we’re bound together and building tomorrow,” Mr. Cason said. “Without the vision of the communities, none of this would be possible.”