Neighborhood Skates expands skateboarding access on Chicago’s South Side through free, inclusive, year-round programming and community infrastructure improvements. Centered around our indoor pop-up skatepark at the University of Chicago campus and the Kenwood DIY (Roderick Sawyer) skatepark, we use skateboarding to foster confidence, creative expression, and belonging—especially for women, LGBTQ+ folks, and youth.

We believe in skateboarding’s unique capacity to empower, build resilience, and create community. Our programs are always free, and we commit to maintaining a welcoming, affirming space for everyone.

This program is generously supported by the Hutchins Scholars in Public Leadership Program at the University of Chicago and the Gray Center for Arts and Inquiry. 💕