About MDI Skatepark Association

Our mission is to create a safe, fun, and accessible skatepark for the Mount Desert Island community and our visitors.

Over five years ago, young island skateboarders went to Bar Harbor Town Council and requested help to build a public skatepark.   A community group known as “Skate.MDI!”  brought together local youth, law enforcement, business owners, parents, town government, recreation organizations  and community members to talk about how we could help. We came up with a proposal to build a state-or-the-art concrete park on the Bar Harbor Athletic Field. In May 2007, the Bar Harbor Town Council unanimously approved our request for a location, granted us 8,775 sq ft and agreed we could build a park if we were able to raise the money ourselves.

In 2008 Skate.MDI! changed their name to Mount Desert Island Skatepark Association (MDISA). The Acadia Community Association, a registered 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, agreed to act as our fiscal sponsor, making us eligible for non-profit donations.

Recently, MDISA received a grant to build a temporary skate ramp in the athletic field of Bar Harbor to provide a place to ride while we continue to raise money. The ramp will be installed this spring (2010- as soon as the ground dries!). We have a dedicated board of directors that meets monthly to plan community events and fundraisers. We are seeking private donations, corporate sponsorships, and grant funding to realize our dream.

We need to raise at least $300,000 in monetary and in-kind donations to build a beautiful, lasting park that will provide local and visiting (MDI is a busy summer and fall tourist center) skaters with a place to practice and grow the fine art of skate sport.