Christian skate park seeks home

By Amy Puckett McGee

Bartow Neighbor News Editor

Heaven Skates wants to be the answer to skaters’ prayers: a safe, legal place to enjoy their freewheeling hobby without interference from law enforcement or danger from passing cars.

Seven years after Bill Mohler started his Christian skate park on borrowed property in Woodstock, the ministry is seeking a permanent home, preferably in Bartow County, where, according to Mohler, the need is great.

“I’ve seen skaters everywhere [in Bartow],” said Mohler. “I got a copy of the laws they passed against skating in the streets. I talked to some skaters, and they had all kinds of stories about getting chased off by police.”

Mohler said he hopes someone will donate property, such as an empty warehouse or unused parking lot, to the ministry in exchange for a tax deduction (Heaven Skates is classified as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization). Inexpensive property is a must, Mohler said, so the kids can skate at an affordable price.

“If you charge $14 for two hours of skating, the kids will still be on the streets,” Mohler said.

Mohler founded Heaven Skates in 1997 after one young skater died and one was seriously injured after being struck by vehicles.

“I wanted to find some place where the kids could get off the streets, a safe and structured place where they can come and skate,” Mohler said. He also saw an opportunity to minister to a group that didn’t always feel welcome in a traditional church setting.

“Skaters look different,” Mohler said of the often heavily-pierced, spiked-hair crowd. “That scares some church people. They look at them; they’re afraid of them. So they’re not going to get them to come into a traditional church atmosphere.”

At Heaven Skates, skateboarders and in-line skaters could hone their skills on ramps and half-pipes, while contemporary Christian music and a “no-cussing” policy contributed to the wholesome atmosphere. Occasionally the action would stop while skaters gathered for a Bible study.

But now the ramps and other equipment gather dust in a storage shed as Heaven Skates looks for a new home. They lost their most recent location earlier this year when another skate park, which partnered with the ministry, went out of business.

Mohler can be reached at (404) 312-0726 or by e-mail at .