Skate AC Expanding to Egg Harbor City as Atlantic City Park Prepares to Reopen

Founder Jason Klotz says a new agreement will bring a skate park to Egg Harbor City while the nonprofit's original Sovereign Avenue facility returns Sept. 26

ATLANTIC CITY — An Atlantic City nonprofit that started by creating places for local kids to skateboard is expanding its footprint in South Jersey.

Skate AC founder Jason Klotz announced Thursday that the organization has received a contract from Egg Harbor City to move ahead with plans for a new skateboard park there.

“I am pleased to announce that I recently got a contract from Egg Harbor City that we're signing today,” Klotz said during an appearance on The AC Mike Lopez Show on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND. “So we're going to be able to build a skateboard park in Egg Harbor City.”

Klotz said the project is being pursued in collaboration with city officials.

The announcement represents a significant step forward for a project that has been under discussion for months.

Earlier this year, Egg Harbor City said Skate AC had approached the municipality about creating a park on city-owned property near the Public Works building on Buffalo Avenue. At that point, the city said Skate AC would be responsible for designing the park, obtaining necessary Pinelands approvals and raising the money needed to construct it.

A March public meeting on the proposal drew a standing-room-only crowd that was largely supportive, according to the city's account. City Council subsequently directed its attorney to review a memorandum of understanding with Skate AC.

As recently as May, the Egg Harbor City project was publicly described as still being negotiated.

Klotz's announcement Thursday indicates the proposal has now advanced beyond that stage, although final construction details, cost and timetable were not provided during the interview.

From Atlantic City to Egg Harbor City

Skate AC has been expanding rapidly from its beginnings in Atlantic City.

The nonprofit's mission centers on creating skate parks and programming that give young people places to gather, exercise and learn to skateboard.

“My parks are not going to be the massive overhead bowls or 10 stairs with hand railings,” Klotz said. “I like to build parks that people are less likely to be injured on and also more likely to have a positive experience where they were able to face their fears, try something new and learn.”

Earlier this year, Skate AC announced an expansion of its ambitions beyond the region under the broader concept of “Skate All Communities.” Rohan Marley, son of reggae legend Bob Marley, joined the organization as president as it began exploring projects outside New Jersey.

But Klotz's Egg Harbor City announcement would give that expansion another foothold close to home.

Original Atlantic City Park Reopening

At the same time, Skate AC is preparing to bring its original Atlantic City skate park back to life.

The Sovereign Avenue skate park will hold a grand reopening from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, following approximately a year of reconstruction.

Klotz said the ground beneath the park failed during work on the adjacent bulkhead last year, damaging the facility.

“Unfortunately, the ground broke during a reconstruction of the bulkhead and it collapsed the floor,” Klotz said. “And so RV Engineers and Pearson Construction Company have been there for the past year, basically redoing everything.”

“Now we're at a point where we're ready to reopen it.”

Klotz said the reopening celebration will feature skateboarding contests, live music from local rock band Pool Scum, prizes and giveaways.

He said sponsors supporting the event include Quiksilver, DC Shoes, Volcom, RVCA, Thrasher Magazine, Supreme and Tony Boloney's.

“I literally might have like 16 boxes of shoes and clothing, skateboards piling up in my office right now that we're going to be giving away to the community on this day,” Klotz said.

Cash prizes also are planned.

Skateboarding Could Soon Become Year-Round

Skate AC's programming is expanding beyond its physical parks as well.

Klotz said free programming at the Uptown Skate Park has moved to Fridays from 3 to 5 p.m. and is scheduled to continue through December.

Even more significantly, he said Atlantic City officials have approached the organization about moving some programming indoors during colder months.

“We're going to be bringing it for the kids of Atlantic City — a lot of skateboarding all year round now,” Klotz said.

Skate AC opened the Uptown Skate Park last year, giving the organization a second Atlantic City location. This summer it held its Uptown Takeover there, featuring professional skateboarders, live music, contests and other activities.

For Klotz, the larger objective isn't simply building ramps.

He recalled growing up as a skateboarder in Atlantic City and routinely being told by police, security and property owners that he and his friends couldn't congregate in various locations.

“We just felt rejected,” Klotz said. “We want them to feel encouraged, seen, heard, understood and supported. And so that's what this is all about.”

“We build these safe spaces that they're allowed to be at all day, every day.”

Now, the organization that started by creating one of those spaces in Atlantic City is preparing to reopen its original park — while taking another step toward building them in communities beyond the resort.

Jason Klotz appeared Thursday on The AC Mike Lopez Show, heard Monday through Friday from noon to 1 p.m. on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND.