New Sculpture/Skate Park Gets Underway In Detroit's No Ham

If you've cruised east down to where the Davison Freeway ends just north of Hamtramck in the evolving neighborhood affectionately called No Ham and/or Banglatown, you may have noticed an unusual construction site. The good people behind the non-profit Power House Productions have teamed up with some talented professional skate park designers (from around the country!) to turn four vacant commercial lots into a new attraction. They are calling it Ride It Sculpture Park and the first phase is under construction right now with a plan to get it open by the end of the month. The initiative is not unlike the West Village's attempt to create a home-grown attraction out of some extra space with the Tashmoo Beirgarten, but instead focuses on keeping kids busy (i.e. out of trouble). Not that adults won't love it too; this thing is built for pros and beginners alike. These photos taken during the process last week show the team gearing up to pour concrete into the custom-built plywood design. Power House is still fundraising to finish the project and cover the rest of the open space with the skater park, but just got a big boost from a $250 K grant for both Ride It and a related projects to turn vacant houses into a series of active sculptural spaces.

· POWER HOUSE PRODUCTIONS LLC's Fundraiser: Ride It Sculpture Park [Crowdrise]
· Michelle and Chris Gerard Photographers.[Official]
· Fun with Funding [Curbed Detroit]
· Banglatown to Vacant Houses: Ride it or Squash it [Curbed Detroit]