Ben Currie tricks at Port Kembla DIY skate park. Photo: Boden Smith.
Port Kembla’s community-created skate park — a source of inspiration for deck devotees, people-power supporters and even a local comic book artist — is poised at an exciting new chapter.
The long-cherished grassroots movement that shaped the local skate scene, now a vibrant, purpose-built skate park for all ages and abilities, officially launches with a free, family-friendly celebration at King George V Courts this coming Sunday.
Hosted by community champions Skate of Mind and Holy Pavlova, the event promises to ignite the hard-won park with high-energy skate demos, live DJs, interactive workshops, visual art, delicious food stalls and prizes — all designed to bring together young skaters, local artists, families and residents in a lively cultural festival.
More than a new recreational space, the new skate park is the culmination of years of community grit, creativity and persistence by local youth and advocates who first sparked Port Kembla’s DIY skate movement.
According to local advocate and project manager for the skate park initiative Will Mitry, that movement was never just about skateboarding tricks; it was about creating a place of belonging, resilience, and self-expression in a town steeped in industrial history and working-class spirit.
“Port Kembla DIY was more than a skate spot — it was a symbol of youth creativity and resilience,” he says. “This launch not only honours that legacy but also welcomes in a new era where the whole community can gather, celebrate, and connect.”
The transformation from a DIY skate park was made possible through a $500,000 grant from the Port Kembla Community Investment Fund, proudly supported by the NSW Government, and the collaborative efforts of the Port Kembla Chamber of Commerce and Industry alongside Wollongong City Council.
The original DIY skate park, cobbled together with pallets, planks and community grit, was a beloved grassroots creation. Photos: PKDIY.
With council approvals secured, the skate park was crafted by Revolution Action Sports Concepts, a team renowned for its innovative skate park designs throughout southern Sydney.
Will says the final design was the result of extensive community consultation, workshops, and even a skate park tour throughout Sydney, catering to the spectrum of abilities with a focus on beginner and intermediate skills.
“We took 10 people — a good mix to represent the diversity of the core skater community that was using the old DIY space — and after visiting each skate park, we talked about what worked and what we didn’t like. We then pulled all that together into the final concept we gave to the designers,” he says.
“When you look at things like the mild curve of the quarter pipes, you can see it was designed with beginner to intermediate kids in mind, but there are definitely opportunities for advanced skaters to have a really good time at this park.”
Adding a unique cultural layer to the project, national arts and social change organisation BighART will play a key role in keeping the park lively beyond the launch. Through their Skate of Mind program, supported by multi-year funding, BighART will curate ongoing creative programming featuring local music, food, visual art and youth-led initiatives that keep the spirit of community empowerment alive.
This will be supplemented by a grassroots fundraising effort by the “PKDIY” team, who will sell T-shirts to raise funds to stage extra activations.
“This skate park isn’t just concrete — it’s culture,” BighART’s Lincoln Smith says. “We’re excited to help shape this space into a dynamic meeting point for young people, artists,and the wider community.”
The launch event itself reflects this ethos of inclusivity and vibrancy.
The new skate park is ideally designed for beginners and intermediate skaters. Photo: Boden Smith.
Starting at noon, King George V Courts will pulse with the energy of skate demos showcasing the talents of local riders, DJs spinning tunes to keep the crowd moving, hands-on workshops for beginners and pros alike and colourful art installations created by local creatives.
Food vendors will serve up tasty options, while prizes and giveaways will reward attendees, making it a true community celebration.
Everyone is invited to join the festivities and witness the dawn of this exciting new era for Port Kembla’s skateboarding community.
The Port Kembla skate park launch takes place on Sunday 24 August from noon at King George V Courts, Port Kembla. This event is free and all ages are welcome. For more information on Skate of Mind and upcoming programs, visit BighART Skate of Mind.
