Since Grant Skatepark’s opening on December 6, 2014, it has been one of the busiest skateparks in the Chicagoland area, bringing in both skateboarders and tourists from all over the world. Located in the South Loop, just south of Millennium and Grant Park, Grant Skatepark brings together individuals from all over the city who share one thing in common: their love for skateboarding. In 2020, the national number of skateboarding participants shot up from 6.61 million to 8.87 million, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the re-popularization of skateboard culture, Grant Skatepark has become a hotspot for skateboarders and non-skaters alike.

Vladislav Siz commutes from his hometown of Mundelein, Illinois, to the Loop for his classes at DePaul University, and he regularly comes to Grant after his school day finishes. Despite the distance from his hometown, Siz makes the commute down to the South Loop to skate, even on his days off from school.

Vladislav Siz skates after his day of classes on September 30 and October 14. Siz tries to skate as much as possible while the weather is still allowing. Photos by Eva Epley

“Nothing compares to being a local at Grant,” Siz explains. As a commuter student, Siz had trouble connecting with other DePaul students, but the community at Grant in tandem with the parks’ proximity to DePaul’s Loop campus helps bridge some connections: “I’ve met a lot of people here that go to DePaul. It makes me feel a lot closer to the university, because we have that medium we connect on.”

Due to the increased interest in skateboard culture over the past few years, Grant Skatepark has gone from a place for skaters to practice, to a hangout and party spot. The skatepark sits below ground level at the end of Grant Park, which makes it virtually invisible from the street level, allowing many park goers to do as they please without the concern of police presence. However, the privacy the park provides may have contributed to the spike in assaults and acts of violence in the park. In September 2021, a man was shot while skateboarding at Grant. In the summer of 2023, there were two instances of stabbing that left both victims in critical condition. On the regular, there are individuals that come to the park to sell illicit substances.

Kair Thomas (left) and Deonte Marsh (right) decorate a skateboard. Grant hosts many young children throughout the day and evening, many coming from all over the city after their school day, some with their parents and some without. Photo by Eva Epley

The park is an after-school destination for many grade school students across the city, many of whom did not come to skate but ended up learning from their new friends at the park. These unlikely friendships foster the sense of community and protection that skaters look for in a good local skatepark. With the winter months approaching, the park becomes dark early into the evening, shortening the amount of time skaters can spend at the park for their own safety.

Gino Buttitta has been skateboarding at Grant since the day it opened, and experienced the skatepark environment change over the years. When asked about the reason for the increase in violent crimes at the skatepark, Buttitta replies: “Skateboarders can be very complacent; it’s tough because a lot of people don’t want to point anyone out because they don’t wanna be that person. They don’t wanna be the snitch, but they’re also scared of snitching… People are coming through [Grant] with guns and knives or substances that shouldn’t be at a park.”

Even with safety concerns, skaters are not ready to give up on their park. Grant Skatepark is a special place. “There’s no other skate community like the one here,” Siz says. Buttitta explains, “[Grant] really opened my eyes to what’s going on in other people’s lives outside of my bubble and exposed me to more than I would have been exposed to at my local skatepark in Oak Park.”

Lachlan Brockmiller (left) and DJ Thomas (right) became unlikely friends through time spent at Grant Skatepark. Photo by Eva Epley 

Isaac Rodriguez, another Grant local, describes Grant Skatepark as “Broadway, because there was always a show, always something going on to watch there.”

When not working as a private chef, Isaac Rodriguez (left) spends his time at Grant. Rodriguez has hosted pop-up events at the park for his personal hot sauce brand. Photos by Eva Epley

Although some of Grant’s locals do more harm than good for the community, many skaters continue to do their part in making Grant a place they want to be, despite lack of assistance from the city. “The city has neglected the skatepark over the years, they just stopped coming to paint and trim the trees …The skaters trim the bushes and sweep the park clean, it’s something that as a skater at Grant, you just do,” Rodriguez explains.

An individual leaves her original art on a ledge at Grant Skatepark, knowing the city will be coming by to paint over it within the week. Photo by Eva Epley

When asked about what can be done about the violence and general atmosphere of the park, skaters have much to say: increased police presence or park district security patrol, new/more lights for the park, more community engagement, the list goes on. 

Left to right: Pablo Zaugg, Dylan Brackney, Gabe Antillon, and Gino Buttitta pose with their new friends Kair and Deonte. Many of the children have found their own place in Grant’s local community. Photo by Eva Epley

Grant Skatepark is a place for people to join in doing what they love, despite any age, race, cultural or any other differences. Even with safety concerns, skateboarders find ways to build friendships and love their sport.

Skaters prepare to leave for the evening, as the lights at the park are too dim to be able to skate at night. Photo by Eva Epley

Header photo by Eva Epley