GCSA's Member Meeting
23 August 2025
Meeting Agenda
1
Welcome & Opening Remarks
  • Introduction of Board Members and Volunteers
  • Purpose of the Meeting
  • Upcoming Events
2
Biloxi Skatepark Beautification Day
13 September 2025 (Need volunteers)
3
Skating the Coast
4 October 2025 (Need volunteers)(Presale Live now)
4
Weekly Skate Meet Ups
  • Wednesdays at the Biloxi DIY Skatepark 5PM to 7PM
  • Sundays at the St. Martin DIY Skatepark 3PM to 5PM
Gulf Coast Skateparks Association – Community Impacts
The Gulf Coast Skateparks Association (GCSA) is dedicated to building, supporting, and sustaining the skateboarding community along the Gulf Coast. Through consistent programming, major events, advocacy, and youth engagement, we have created meaningful opportunities for local skaters while also advancing the long-term vision of public skatepark development.
Weekly Community Meetups
24
Biloxi DIY Meetups
Average of 45 skaters per session
8
St. Martin DIY Meetups
Average of 10 skaters per session
These meetups foster consistency, inclusion, and a supportive skate culture on the Gulf Coast.

Trend: Average weekly attendance is up (30 → 45 per session at Biloxi DIY)
Flagship Events
Our large-scale events bring together skaters, families, and community members while raising awareness and funds for future skateparks:
Arts for Skateparks
Silent Art Auction
Raised $1,200 | 40 attendees
Skate & Donate
Yard Sale
Raised $1K
Woolmarket Skate Demo
Engaged over 350 attendees with live skateboarding and outreach
Push for Skateparks
Raised $1,000 | 175 attendees
Biloxi Skate Fest
Raised $1,000 | 225 attendees
Go Skateboarding Day (Slidell)
Regional celebration with 400 attendees
These events showcase skateboarding as both an art form and a positive outlet for youth.

Trend: Events are attracting larger crowds (e.g., Woolmarket +350, Go Skateboarding Day +400)
Advocacy for Skatepark Development
GCSA actively advocates for new and improved skateparks in the region:
  • Delivered two presentations to the Jackson County Board of Directors, providing comprehensive assessments and pushing forward skatepark development.
  • Presented to the Biloxi City Council, sharing community needs and solutions for skatepark growth.
  • Maintain ongoing presence at Biloxi Main Street monthly meetings to align skateboarding with broader community initiatives.

Trend: Transition from grassroots, build-it-yourself advocacy → to formal government engagement with city and county leaders.
Youth Engagement
Empowering youth through skateboarding is central to our mission:
Bi-Monthly Youth Skate Clinics
10 clinics hosted, averaging 10 youth participants each
Woolmarket Elementary School Skate Demo
Introduced skateboarding to 300 youth in a school setting
Flagship Event Lessons
Hands-on skate lessons at major events, averaging 15 youth participants each
These programs give young people access to mentorship, safe learning environments, and positive physical activity.

Trend: Shift from one-time programs (helmet giveaway, 4 lesson sessions) to ongoing youth engagement (clinics + in-school demos). Broader school-based outreach added this year.
Infrastructure & Community Spaces
Our work extends beyond events into maintaining and growing skateboarding spaces:
  • Biloxi DIY Skatepark – Secured concept design donated by Pillars Studio.
  • St. Martin DIY Skatepark – Successfully launched as a new community skate space.

Trend: Growth from one park to multiple skate spaces, with ongoing stewardship and expansion.
Major Donor Support
The success of our programs and advocacy is made possible by generous contributions from key supporters:
$10,000
Vici
$1,000
Allstate
$500
Chevron
Their investment ensures continued growth, community impact, and the development of free public skateparks.
GCSA Won the Mississippi Main Street Outstanding Community Engagement Award!
Was selected as number one among 79 other competing cities for fostering community.
2025 Impact Assessment

Trend: Event fundraising steady, but major donor support has grown significantly, creating long-term sustainability.
Strengths:
  • Increased community engagement and visibility (some events doubled or tripled attendance vs. 2024).
  • Youth reach expanded significantly, with schools now involved.
  • Advocacy matured into formal city/county-level presentations.
  • Major donor support secured, creating credibility for larger funding efforts.
Challenges: (4 Months to Go!)
  • Some numeric goals fell slightly short (youth reached, school demos, flagship count).
  • Large-scale fundraising target ($75K design fund) unmet.
  • Structured education programs and instructor certification not yet fully rolled out.

📊 Grade: B+/A- — Excellent momentum with clear wins in visibility, youth engagement, and donor support, but still building toward infrastructure and structured program goals.
Next Major Goal for 2026
Vision for 2026: From DIY to a Permanent Public Skatepark
2026 should mark the transition from grassroots impact → infrastructure reality.
Primary Goal for 2026: Secure funding and complete the design phase for Biloxi's, Ocean Spring's, and St Martin's first permanent public skatepark, while scaling structured youth programs and expanding regional partnerships.
Strategic Objectives for 2026
Skatepark Infrastructure Breakthrough
  • Raise $75K–$100K to fully fund Biloxi skatepark design and secure city approval.
  • Host a St. Martin Pop-Up Skatepark event with 300+ attendees to activate support in Jackson County.
  • Expand DIY stewardship model (Biloxi + St. Martin + Ocean Springs) into a city-backed public project.
Youth Development Expansion
  • Launch the structured skateboarding curriculum (pending 2025 fundraising).
  • Certify 5–10 local instructors for consistent delivery.
  • Reach 750 youth, with 150 receiving direct instruction in safe, inclusive skateboarding.
Community & Flagship Events Growth
  • Host 5 flagship events, each targeting 300–500 attendees.
  • Add new school outreach programs (minimum 3 school demos).
  • Grow weekly meet-ups to 50 sessions, averaging 50+ skaters.
Fundraising & Partnerships
  • Expand donor base to 20 recurring sponsors/partners.
  • Establish at least 2 regional partnerships (schools, nonprofits, or corporate sponsors) for sustained youth programs.
  • Launch a monthly donor program for grassroots supporters.

👉 By 2026, the story should shift from "skaters building DIY parks" to "the community building a permanent, city-supported skatepark system", backed by formal youth programming and a sustainable donor network.
GCSA Reminders for Members
To continue our growth and impact, we need your help in several key areas:
Support GCSA with Merchandise and Donations!
Visit our website for GCSA merchandise and donations. Every purchase and donation helps support our events and skatepark initiatives.
Spread the Word on Social Media!
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, invite your friends and family, and share our posts. Tag us in your skate videos and photos – we love to repost!
Become an Official GCSA Member!
If you haven't already, sign up on our website to officially join the GCSA community and enjoy exclusive benefits.
Help Keep Our Skatepark Safe and Clean!
Report any issues to local authorities if you see loitering or unsafe behavior at the skatepark. Let's all help keep the space clean and respectful.
Open Forum
We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts on the following:
What's going well for the community?
What would you like to see changed or improved?
What challenges do you foresee for GCSA in the coming year?
Your input is valuable in helping us continue to grow and improve!
Let's continue working together to make GCSA a driving force for skateboarding on the Gulf Coast!