A group of Bay Area roller skaters is creating Panther Skate Plaza at DeFremery Park in West Oakland to enhance recreational space for the local community. Formed during the pandemic in 2020, the group hosts a weekly Panther Prowl Skate event every Thursday, which has become an official Oakland Parks and Recreation program. This initiative showcases the significance of skating in Black culture and aims to provide a permanent outdoor rink in a region lacking such facilities. It emphasizes inclusivity and joy for the community, opposing gentrification of recreational spaces.
"Skating has been a mainstay in the Black community for decades. Black skate culture is ginormous. It's so big. And you would think it doesn't exist because it isn't something that's widely covered."
"There's also a Black Panther Party-inspired farmers market at each week's skate, presented by God's Resting Place Community Outreach."
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