Many of us likely recall childhood weekends spent at the roller rink, skating in circles under flashing lights to popular jams of the time. As years passed, many roller rinks disappeared and interest in the sport waned. But the pandemic sparked a resurgence of interest in the activity, as folks laced up for the first time in years to get some fresh air and stay active.
Now the Treasure Coast is getting in on the act, transforming an old park into an outdoor skating haven—Skate City. The space in Whispering Pines Park had gone unused for the past 15 years, until a group of local skaters connected with Port St. Lucie Mayor Shannon Martin last September about revitalizing the area. The group, known as St. Lucie Skaters, has more than 1,000 members on Facebook—and Mayor Martin took notice. “I saw the group’s videos on Facebook, and it reminded me of the days I would spend after school roller-skating around the neighborhood with friends,” says the mayor.
With the help of the Parks and Recreation Department, the 39,000-square-foot lot was repaved to create a smooth surface for roller skating, and Skate City opened to the public in January. Roller skaters (and bladers) can enjoy the rink, which is lit at night, daily from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Says Mayor Martin: “Skate City isn’t just a place to skate, it’s a place to connect, create memories, and have fun. It was shaped by the passion of our skaters and belongs to the community.” 800 SW Darwin Blvd., Port St. Lucie
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