Help build skateparks to honor Tyre.
become a founding donor:
Donations go to The Tyre Nichols Foundation, founded by Tyre’s sister, Keyana Dixon.
About the project
Tyre Nichols’ family is partnering with The Skatepark Project and Grassroots Law Project to build community skateparks in Sacramento, where Tyre grew up, and Memphis, where he spent the years before he was tragically killed by police.
About Tyre Nichols
Tyre Nichols was born June 5, 1993 in Sacramento, CA to RowVaughn Wells and Steven Nichols. Tyre was the youngest of four siblings. At a young age Tyre fell in love with skateboarding and it wasn’t long before it became a part of his lifestyle.
“When I’m on the board that’s when I feel the most alive.“ That’s what Tyre said about skating and that shows how he truly felt. Tyre spent most of his time skating at Regency Park in Sacramento — that’s where it all began for him. That’s where he made lifelong friends and developed his passion for skateboarding.
Location #1
Sacramento
Growing up in Sacramento, Tyre spent a lot of time at a skate park on the outskirts of the city. It wasn’t always the most welcoming place for younger kids, but some local parents would let their kids walk to the park alone as long as they knew Tyre was there. We just completed an initial series of repairs and enhancements to that skatepark, which has now been renamed the Tyre Nichols Skate Park.
We will also be working on an expansion of the skate park that Tyre loved, so that it can be a safe, fun and welcoming place for skaters of all ages.
Timeline
Phase 1 of the Tyre Nichols Skatepark at Regency Park was opened in June 2023. Phase 2 production will begin shortly after.
Design
The original skatepark had the sparse remnants of a prefabricated skatepark, lovingly installed by the city decades ago and frequented by Tyre, his friends and the local community. The new skatepark occupies the same square footage but dramatically increases capacity, accessibility and functionality through design upgrades Tyre discussed with his friends over the years. A regional quality skatepark on a neighborhood scale, the new park will elevate the space and provide a safe and inviting space for decades to come. Enshrined in concrete, Tyre’s name and legacy will live on to support his community through the moments they share in the space that meant the most to him.
Location #2
Memphis
Tyre spent the years before his death living in Memphis with his mother. His family and friends say that he was at his happiest when skating at Tobey Skate Park and visiting Shelby Farms — a large park where he loved to go and take photographs of the sunset. The city and county are both working with us to get a new skatepark approved but a location hasn’t been finalized yet.
Timeline
The Tyre Nichols Skatepark in Memphis Tennessee is in the early stages of production. With priority support from public agencies and partners, the project is slated to break ground in 2024.
Become a founding donor:
Donations go to The Tyre Nichols Foundation, founded by Tyre’s sister, Keyana Dixon.
The Skatepark Project helps underserved communities create safe and inclusive public skateparks for youth.
Free public skateparks are a long-term, low-maintenance solution for fostering healthy, happy, purposeful youth. These facilities provide a space for kids to connect and enjoy the sport they love while learning about goal setting, determination, and resilience. As the champion of quality public skateparks, The Skatepark Project helps communities build safe, equitable, and accessible skateparks for people from all backgrounds to gather, form friendships, and participate in healthy outdoor recreation.
Founded by Tony Hawk, The Skatepark Project (TSP) is a nonprofit organization working to increase access to outdoor recreation and free play through the creation of safe and inclusive community skateparks. TSP provides the resources, advocacy skills, grants and fellowship programs that guide skaters in creating their own community skateparks, from conception through construction. This is a collaborative process between skaters and city authorities to invest in capital improvements that will enrich a community for decades. The Skatepark Project’s grant programs have awarded over $11 million to help fund nearly 700 public skateparks in all 50 States, enjoyed by an estimated 8-million people annually. The organization’s International Program has provided technical and financial support to assist youth through the Skateistan educational programs in Afghanistan, Cambodia, and South Africa. To get involved, visit skatepark.org.
Commitment to Inclusion and Anti-Racism
We aim to recognize power relationships exist and to be mindful of how racism can take many forms, both in overt and covert ways. We see it as our duty to put in the work to create spaces and areas of influence that are welcoming, empowering, representative, and committed to racial equity for all individuals who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. TSP is committed to ensuring that everyone feels welcome in the skatepark and the skateboarding community, no matter who they are or where they’re from. Toward this end, TSP focuses its grantmaking, advocacy and technical assistance on BIPOC and other under-resourced communities. Additionally, we operate a BIPOC Fellows program, to train the next generation of black and brown skate advocates, are a founding signatory to the “Pushing Against Racism” Pledge, and have a Native & Indigenous Skatepark Program
About Grassroots Law Project
Grassroots Law Project advocates with families of victims whose lives have been stolen by state power.
Grassroots Law Project organize millions of people using the latest technology to directly influence politicians, prosecutors, and police departments at key moments. We are freedom fighters, advocates, and legal experts. We aim to radically transform the American legal system – to stop prisons and police from wrongfully injuring, imprisoning, and executing people.
Support the project:
Donations go to The Tyre Nichols Foundation, founded by Tyre’s sister, Keyana Dixon.