Maglaj Skate Park exist to serve and empower the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. They are financing the construction of a skate park and facilitating the painting of a 9-part mural in the center of town. The mural project serves to build community pride and showcases works of art within the center of the city. The skate park provides a safe recreational area for youth and families and gives teens and families a sense of ownership and pride for their community.

In 2019, the Tony Hawk Foundation identified about 2,800 public skate parks in the U.S., with hundreds more unofficial ones. The benefits of skateboarding has been well documented since skateboarding began in the 1940s. However, skateparks are not as prevalent in many other countries around the world including in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is about the size of West Virginia, USA, has 3.5 million people and only two skateparks in the whole country. That’s why Maglaj decided it was the perfect solution to a local need. Beginning in late 2021, they began to put their dream into action and by the beginning of 2022 they already had local support.

Local excitement builds over the coming skatepark

There was much excitement about a skatepark being installed that the local municipality donated a piece of land, approved the plans, and covered all the fees in early 2022 to get the project going.

News about the skatepark continued to build excitement as they were able to fundraise and partner with local authorities, local businesses, and local builders. On one occasion, while participating in a city-wide “Clean-up Day” in partnership with a European Environmental Organization, several local entities (Waste Department, Police Department, and the local High School) were eager to partner with them as a way to say "thank you" for the skatepark.

Construction has begun on the skatepark and should open by the end of 2022. The mural won’t be able to be complete until the park is built; but in the meantime, the team drew a small mural in another local park and received many positive comments about it.

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Learn more about Maglaj Skatepark and donate to their cause here.