Graveside DIY

The Raleigh skate scene is fortunate to have the dedicated crew behind the Graveside DIY.

Dylan Hopp - Backside on the DIY quarter

If you've ever visited a DIY park anywhere, you're aware that there are varying degrees of quality, atmosphere, accessibility, and enjoyment. You might encounter a park with one perfect object to skate, an assortment of well-intentioned but poorly executed ramps and ledges. Rollerbladers might not feel particularly welcome in some cases.

Brad Anthony - Gap Forward Air into the Quarter Pipe Corner

Graveside, however, stands apart.

It's a DIY skatepark that flows smoothly, despite the occasional uphill sections, and genuinely feels like a "real" skatepark. The crew behind Graveside invest countless hours and dollars, pouring their hearts and souls into this project. They've constructed an impressive array of objects, including ledges, banks, spines, 6-foot-high quarter pipes, and even a full pipe—yes, a FULL PIPE at a DIY park. There's even a coping ledge, possibly a gift to rollerbladers (probably not).

Mark Licata - NBD Front Royal on the Parking Block Spine

Graveside feels like it is intended to be enjoyed by everyone.
Akin to a pirate ship, if you pitch in, whether with your time, money, or energy, you'll find yourself welcome.

Yet, the greatness of Graveside comes with a caveat. The location and land it occupies are on borrowed time. Most DIY skateparks were never intended to exist in the first place; they typically emerge as outlaw spots, adding to their unique atmosphere and allure and eventually are shutdown.

Jon Cooley - Fakie Misty Flip

Graveside shares this same destiny.
The precise moment is uncertain, but eventually, the spine, ledges, banks, and rails will give way to someone's bedroom, bathroom, living room, or kitchen when the land is developed into apartments. Nevertheless, the Graveside crew persists. They continue building and enhancing their project, fully aware that its days are numbered, but they'll navigate this pirate ship until it's inevitably sunk.

Ironically, the DIY park adjacent to a graveyard will one day be dead and buried itself.

The End