UN Skate Plaza expands with beginner-friendly upgrades for young skaters

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The UN Skate Plaza, a centerpiece of the Civic Center’s transformation, is getting even better for kids and beginner skaters. San Francisco Recreation and Park Department officials announced plans today for an expansion of the space, in partnership with The Skatepark Project (TSP) and Converse, adding new skate elements and redesigned paving to make the space more accessible and fun for skaters of all levels.

The project will add approximately 2,100 square feet of skateable surface to the northeast corner of the existing plaza. The additional space will feature three unique, skateable geometric art pieces, which are being designed by Olympic skateboarder, MIT-trained architect, and Converse CONs skate rider Alexis Sablone. Construction is already underway and is scheduled for completion by mid-February. 

The upgraded plaza will debut during the Skate UN Plaza kickoff event, hosted by Converse, The Skatepark Project, and Skate Like a Girl, on Saturday, February 15, from noon to 3 p.m. at UN Plaza. The event will bring together youth across the Bay Area for a day of skateboarding, featuring giveaways, trick competitions, and live demos by the Converse CONS skate team—all aimed at inspiring the next generation of skaters in San Francisco. 

“Our public spaces are part of what makes San Francisco great, and improving them will be central to our comeback,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie. “The expansion of UN Skate Plaza will make this critical space more welcoming to our families and visitors. I want to thank the Skatepark Project and Converse for being partners in this project and our city’s revitalization.”

The expansion builds on the continued success of the street skating area, which opened in 2023 as part of SF Rec and Park’s $2 million UN Plaza revitalization effort. Designed by local skateboarders and iconic skateboarding brands, the plaza pays homage to legendary street skating spots in San Francisco. In its first year, the plaza became a vibrant hub of activity, drawing more than 340,000 visitors and contributing to a 79% reduction in daytime drug-related incidents.

“The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department has been proud to lead the way in transforming the Civic Center area into a vibrant, welcoming space for everyone,” said SF Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “The Skate Plaza has become a national model for creative spaces that bring people together. This expansion is another step forward in making the city safer by making it more fun.”

“San Francisco is one of the most skateable cities in the country, and TSP is proud of our longstanding partnership with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department,” said Benjamin Anderson Bashein, CEO of The Skatepark Project. “We're especially pleased to be unveiling Alexis's skateable sculptures, which combine public art and skate spot architecture to engage both novice and experienced skaters alike. This innovative installation showcases the fusion of skateboarding, art, and design and reimagines public spaces as hybrid playscapes. And it represents a true collaboration between TSP, Converse, local skate advocates, and a supportive city to further upgrade this historic space.”

“The city of San Francisco has such a rich history in skateboarding and the communities it’s built have always shown love to Converse,” said Converse VP/GM of North America Brandis Russell, "That's why we’re thrilled to work with the City, with our partners The Skatepark Project, and with Converse CONS team member and architect Alexis Sablone to return that love with a newly designed space for youths and youths-at-heart to gather and further their craft and community.”

Beyond the skate plaza, the Civic Center revitalization has transformed UN Plaza into a multi-use community space featuring outdoor fitness stations, space for yoga and Zumba, and tables for ping pong and other games. Visitors enjoy free dance and fitness classes daily and free chess and mahjong instruction on weekends. Café seating, new trees, and Tivoli lights have made the plaza a welcoming destination for all.

“We leverage the City's contribution with those from philanthropic partners to fund a year-long schedule of free classes and events to keep the Plaza full of positive activities,” says the CBD's Executive Director Tracy Everwine. “Clean, safe and active public space is essential for the success of everything around it.”

###

About The Skatepark Project:
Founded by Tony Hawk in 2002, The Skatepark Project (TSP) is a nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to outdoor recreation and free play in underserved communities by creating safe and inclusive skateparks, and activating them. TSP has helped build close to 700 skateparks across all 50 States, enjoyed by an estimated 17 million people annually. We believe that anyone who wants to skate should have access to a safe place to do so, and that all skaters should feel welcome in both the skatepark and the broader skateboarding community. To learn more about our programs or to get involved, please visit skatepark.org.

About Converse:

Converse is an iconic lifestyle brand with more than 115 years of heritage, born in sport and adopted by culture. Converse provokes and enables those independent enough not to follow to challenge convention and defy conformity. Through expressive, inventive footwear and apparel, Converse inspires all to move confidently, play fearlessly, and connect authentically.  

Converse is part of NIKE, Inc. and, also, distinctly itself.  

Follow @Converse and visit Converse.com.