Downtown skateboard park receives makeover

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This article was published 04/08/2025 (234 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Kristopher Campbell Memorial Skate Plaza in downtown Brandon received a vibrant and heartfelt makeover during the long weekend, as a group of local artists came together to paint new murals paying tribute to the city’s skateboarding legends and departed friends.

The revitalization effort, spearheaded by longtime skateboarding advocate Taber Collens and local artist Lindsay Wakefield, was made possible through support from the Downtown BIZ, the City of Brandon and the local skateboarding and graffiti communities.

What was once a weathered concrete space has been transformed into a living canvas — with colour, meaning and community spirit, Collens told the Sun.

“I’ve always felt like giving back to the scene that raised me. This event is about giving homage to the people who helped shape it — and especially those we’ve lost,” he said. “These murals are permanent memories of the skaters who made an impact on all of us still riding today.”

Throughout the day, artists worked on memorial pieces, including one for Kristopher Campbell, Wakefield said.

“It’s a memorial piece,” he said. “We wanted to convey that graffiti and art have a place here, and this is about honouring skaters who’ve passed away. It just made sense.”

Wakefield said the transformation wasn’t just aesthetic — it was symbolic, adding that the idea took shape organically.

“I drove past the park and thought, ‘What’s the worst that could happen if I message the city?’ And next thing I knew, we were organizing artists, developing a game plan and pulling this together.”

Skaters — some seasoned, others young — gathered at the park as spray cans hissed and rollers painted over years of wear and tear. Collens estimated around 15 local skaters would show up, but emphasized that numbers were secondary.

“What matters is we’re bringing new life into a space that’s gone stale. A fresh look can bring new people out and show what skateboarding is about: love, respect, and community.”

The initiative was a collaborative success story, Downtown BIZ executive director Emmy Sanderson said.

“Our role was to connect the dots — to facilitate between the skaters, the graffiti artists and the city,” she said. “The BIZ funded the event through our Downtown Event Grant, which covered paint, music, and food — about $1,800 in total.”

But for Sanderson, the impact goes beyond funding.

“This is about uplifting a truly inclusive space. The skate park brings together all demographics — skaters, kids on scooters, cyclists and all ages. It hadn’t been touched up in 15 years. It was time to show that people care — and that the community that uses this space has a voice in how it looks.”

The public art, Sanderson added, is a perfect match for the skate culture.

“Graffiti art belongs in this space,” she said. “And what’s beautiful is that the people who use it took the lead. The city listened. We listened. And it’s that respect and collaboration that make this project so powerful.”

At least five murals are planned in total, with more artists expected to contribute in the coming days.

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