A community-led effort leads to a new skatepark in Boone

The High Country is getting a new place for outdoor recreation. Construction is underway for the Boone Greenway Skatepark. It's a community effort that's been a long time in the making.

Local residents have been wanting a space like this since a makeshift skatepark closed several years ago.

Local fundraising and a partnership with the town of Boone, which included a donation of land near Watauga High School, got the project off the ground. A matching grant for more than $72,000 from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund also made the project a reality. That money helped spark construction on Phase 1, which began last month.

Organizer J.P. Pardy says it will offer something for people at all levels.

“It's pretty incredible. Definitely being out there and seeing it again come full circle, it's like, it's an awesome feeling" says Pardy. "It's something for everyone else to do outside. We have a lot of things to do up here and this is going to add to that list.”

Artisan Skateparks, a company based in Kitty Hawk is building the site in Watauga County. It's unclear at this time when the project will be completed.

Pardy says they will continue fundraising efforts to add more advanced features including a bowl and more street style opportunities in future phases.

Follow WFDD's Keri Brown on Twitter @kerib_news