Travis Monroe smiled as he recalled setting up a pop-up skate park in an old pickle factory.
“Back then, it was just a dusty warehouse,” he said, “and there was no skate park between Columbus and Cleveland. This was in the dead of winter, it was cold and rainy and miserable. Tons of people came out in the snow and sleet to skate in this dusty old warehouse. It was great.”
Going places where others don’t is the whole point of Advocate Skateworks, a non-profit based in Lakewood that works to bring skateboards and skate culture into Cleveland neighborhoods.
“That’s really what we want to do,” said Monroe, the organization’s director. “We want to go into these neighborhoods that don’t have resources and we want to be able to provide them.”
Advocate Skateworks was created to give skateboards and equipment to children in and around Cleveland’s lower-income neighborhoods. Monroe and his wife funded the program themselves until the money ran out. “We had to pivot and figure out how to keep funding our programs, so we started doing pop-up markets where we sell apparel to fund our work,” he explained.
So far, Advocate Skateworks has given away 1,150 boards in three years.
The group has also worked with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and supported several after-school skateboarding programs providing boards, apparel, safety equipment and mentorship.
Customizable pop-up skate parks
Monroe said Advocate Skateworks began creating and installing the pop-up skate parks out of necessity as many of the neighborhoods didn’t have skate parks.
Advocate Skateworks has two pop-up parks, one smaller and one larger, and both are customizable. Ramps, rails and boxes are set up according to size and available space. Some larger structures are used for more advanced skaters or bigger demonstrations.
The experience itself can also be customized based on need to include board and safety equipment rentals, lessons and instructors. “Every single event we do is a one-off,” said Monore, “because every need is different.”
Advocate Skateworks’ pop-up park was so successful at the North Coast Yard last year that a permanent skate park is currently being installed at the yard and is set to open Monday, June 1. Instructors will be on hand at special events throughout summer to give free lessons to new skaters.
Where to find Advocate Skateworks this summer
Here’s a list of events where you’ll find Advocate Skateworks this summer. For more information, visit their website:
Flea Bag Market and Skate Swap Meet
- When: Saturday May 30, noon to 5 p.m.
- Where: B-Side Lounge, 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights 44106
- Details: Buy/sell/trade market for skateboarders and fans of skate culture
New skate park at North Coast Yard
- When: Beginning Monday June 1, and lasting all summer
- Where: 515 Erieside Ave., Cleveland 44114
- Details: Advocate Skateworks’ new permanent skate park on the lakefront opens to the public June 1. They’ll be on hand Friday nights to offer free mini-and-me lessons to a child and their caregiver together.On June 18, they’ll host an event with Relic Vintage Clothing at the yard.
Manic Pixie Dream Market
- When: Saturday, June 13 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday July 11, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Where: 2080 Quail St., Lakewood 44107
- Details: Advocate Skateworks will be vending at the June 13 Manic Pixie Dream Market, a LGBTQ+ themed market. They’ll bring the pop-up park to the market on July 11.
Viva La Damned
- When: Saturday June 20, 4 p.m.
- Where: Mercury Lounge, 18206 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 44107
- Details: Advocate Skateworks will install a pop-up park in the parking lot as part of a tribute event to “Jackass” star Bam Margera.
