Photo Gallery: Hemphill Skate Plaza Gets Rolling

Arlington TX

13 January, 2022

6:49 PM

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By Cristian ArguetaSoto, Fort Worth Report January 12, 2022 John Shea grew up skating in the Metroplex. He then moved to Southern California in the late 90s and early 2000s, where the fast-paced lifestyle and lack of connection with the locals didn't appeal to him. Shea made his return to Fort Worth, and, 16 years later, he is a part of the construction of a new skate park in the South Side. "This side of town was cool, but it was kind of a ghost town," Shea said. "You know, 15 or 16 years ago, there's not a lot going on here, but I thought, 'This could be great.' I lived in Long Beach so I thought this had that feel." Shea hosted Open Streets events where skaters gathered and hung out, played music and skated. He eventually met Mike Brennan at Near Southside Inc., and things got moving. To read the full article, click here. Fort Worth Report is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization that produces factual, in-depth journalism about city and county government, schools, healthcare, business, and arts and culture in Tarrant County. Always free to read; subscribe to newsletters, read coverage or support our newsroom at fortworthreport.org.