CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cleveland is preparing to build a new, 10,000 square-foot skate park with the help of rapper, singer-songwriter and Cleveland native Machine Gun Kelly.
The new skatepark would be built at Luke Easter Park, with a tentative opening date in August 2027. MGK, whose real name is Colson Baker, is donating $250,000 toward the $1.3 million project through his philanthropic foundation.
City spokesman Tyler Sinclair said Baker approached Cleveland earlier this year wanting to collaborate on a project on the Southeast Side. With help from the Skate Park Project, a foundation tied to skater Tony Hawk, they met with residents and decided on a new skate park at Luke Easter.
“This builds on multiple other investments MGK has made in the City of Cleveland – something we are extremely grateful for,” Sinclair said.
A reporter was unable to reach MGK’s representatives for comment.
The park would be near Luke Easter Park’s restrooms and parking lot, which is also adjacent to Zelma George Recreation Center. Cleveland has only one major public skatepark downtown at Crooked River.
City Council approved the donation last Monday. Cleveland is also applying for a $500,000 state grant to help fund the project. Along with Baker’s donation, the Skate Park Project will donate $50,000 and Cleveland will spend $500,000 of its own funds.
Cleveland’s Parks and Recreation Director Alexandria Nichols said they hope the new skate park becomes a regional attraction, and there’s hope that the skate park can be used to host events.
Back in August Streel League Skateboarding held a competition at North Coast Yard on the lakefront as part of “MGK Day weekend.”