PICAYUNE — Pete Taggard never expected skateboarding to save his life. 

But when a doctor warned that Type 2 Diabetes was threatening his health, he returned to something he hadn’t done since his teenage years: skating. 

One year later, he’s down more than 100 pounds and up one mission: bring public skateparks back to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. 

He’s not alone. 

From Picayune to Biloxi, skateboarding advocates are working to build permanent, community-backed parks. For many, the movement isn’t just about ramps and rails — it’s about creating places to belong, especially for young people looking for connection, safety and a second chance. 

A decades-long dream: Picayune’s first skatepark 

Mississippi has never had more than a handful of public skateparks. Skaters along the Gulf Coast often travel to Petal, Laurel, or even Slidell, Louisiana, just to find a decent place to ride. 

In Picayune, the dream of a local skatepark has been brewing since the 1970s, according to Jacob Guthrie. But it never gained real momentum — until now. 

Taggard and fellow skater Guthrie co-founded the Picayune Skatepark Project, a nonprofit working to raise funds, secure grants and rally support to finally build a permanent public park. 

“I mean, it’s as old as people have been skating here,” Guthrie said. “You know, the city is just realizing that there are people here. We do need to invest in a facility locally.” 

In May, city officials approved a plot of land for the project. The plot is behind the Claiborne Hill shopping center and is near a fire station, grocery store and cafe. It’s now poised to become the sixth permanent skatepark in the state. 

“We started out with roughly 40 to 60 people on our (Facebook) page about six to eight months ago. We have almost 2,300 people in there right now,” Taggard said. “So, there is an interest here besides just me and Jacob.” 

Their goal is to build more than a park. They envision a space rooted in safety, inclusion and long-term impact. 

Building momentum: the Gulf Coast Skatepark Association 

Farther east, the Gulf Coast Skatepark Association is turning passion into pavement. 

Led by Tyler Prowant, the nonprofit helped build two do-it-yourself skateparks — parks built in neglected areas using whatever materials they could find. 

One such park is in Biloxi, and the other is in St. Martin –– both crafted with the support of volunteers. Now, the association is working with the city of Ocean Springs to develop a third.

Beyond construction, the group hosts events like Skatin’ the Coast, offers free lessons and gives out safety gear to newcomers. 

“Our mission is to grow a healthy and vibrant skateboarding community and to establish, build and develop free public access to skateparks,” Prowant said.  

While skateboarding became an Olympic sport in 2020, the Mississippi coast still doesn’t have a permanent facility. The association is trying to change that. 

More than 1,300 people have signed a petition supporting a plan to turn the Biloxi DIY site into a permanent concrete park.  

“By putting in a state-of-the-art concrete skatepark, it will allow them to have the training grounds,” Prowant said.  

For 6-year-old Andrew Salik, the park is already a second home. 

“All my friends are here,” he said.  

He said he loves going to the skatepark, seeing it as a fun exercise — and he added he cannot wait for the day he can skate on a concrete one. 

“I just love skating,” Salik said. “It’s a really fun exercise, and it burns my legs up.” 

Skateparks as ‘third places’ 

Both the Gulf Coast Skatepark Association and the Picayune Skatepark Project view skateparks as more than playgrounds — they see them as “third places.” These are public gathering spots outside of home, work or school where people connect, unwind and grow. 

“Not every kid fits into your stereotypical sport or can afford it,” Prowant said. 

He said skateboarding offers an affordable alternative, providing exercise, structure and a sense of belonging. Prowant recalled a family dealing with a turbulent time who dropped their child off at the skatepark to feel safe. 

“Man, this kid is feeling a lot of stuff at home but comes to the skatepark to decompress,” he said. 

“Whenever somebody fell down, we’d help them back up,” he added. “We encourage them, and that’s the kind of community we love and we’re trying to help grow.” 

Guthrie said he agrees. He sees the park as an outlet for teens who often have nowhere to go after school. 

“It would allow somewhere for … kids to congregate or allow the demographic of people who skateboard to actually have a place to do it,” he said. 

For him, skateboarding didn’t just keep him out of trouble — it led to opportunity.  

“Where I’m at today is 100% because of skateboarding,” Guthrie said. “It is the roots of an avenue that people don’t understand you can go down in life, and the outcome is good every time.” 

Health on wheels 

Taggard’s transformation is a testament to the health benefits of skateboarding. 

“Pretty much my doctor said, ‘You’re killing yourself, man,’” Taggard said. 

A gift from his best friend — an old skateboard deck autographed by pro figure skater Joe Johnson — pushed him to start again. He’s since dropped from 285 to 175 pounds.  

Studies support what Taggard already knows: skateboarding builds physical and mental strength. 

According to Beyond the Board, skating burns between 300 and 500 calories an hour, offering a full-body workout. It also releases endorphins, reduces anxiety and boosts confidence. 

Additionally, Skateboard GB reports the sport lowers stress and provides an emotional outlet. 

Despite those benefits, the region still lacks a lasting place for skaters — a gap that fuels Taggard’s mission. 

“It has a lot of potential, a lot of potential,” he said. “We’re very grateful that the city has allowed us to use this space to build something nice for our city — because it’s needed.” 

Taggard said the city will start taking bids for the park construction once the organization collects enough funding for the project.