With funds secured and more added to the coffers following an event Saturday, the organizers of the Emry Park Skateboard Park effort are now in the stage of designing the public skate space.

“We have it in our heads,” Justin Kerr said of the design. “We just need to sit together. We’re going to sit down this week and put it down on paper.”

Since the idea was first discussed in August of 2023, it has taken steam, has been discussed by Roanoke Rapids City Council, has benefited from several fundraisers such as Saturday’s event, and from many donations and sponsors to get those who had the dream to do something with dilapidated tennis courts at Emry to this point. “I am overly pleased,” Kerr said. “I cannot believe all the people that are showing up and showing their support and coming out. I’m just overwhelmed by the community support.”

Besides coming up with the design for three of the abandoned tennis courts at the park, Kerr said he is waiting for an updated quote on concrete pricing, a crucial step in the process to determine whether there might be a gap or whether the project can proceed with the funds raised and the proposed $15,000 the city has allocated. “We’ve got to give them design specs so we can get an accurate quote on concrete. Then we can go from there and hopefully have an accurate amount of how much we’re going to need or not going to need to finish the park.”

Since fundraising efforts began, the group has raised $30,000 plus what was generated from Saturday’s event at the T.J. Davis Skatepark — a sum of around $1,500.

The event Saturday brought food vendors, crafters, and prizes. “There were way more people than we expected. We had a good turnout.”

Another fundraiser will be planned for the fall, Kerr said. “I want to see if we can have the new park done by then. I’m sure we will.”

Also from the event:

Ellie Strickland and Oliver from Oxford won the junior competition and John Carter won the adult competition.

There are still some 25 T-shirts left over from Saturday’s event. Contact Kerr at 252-308-3733 for more information.