FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — Fernandina Beach is getting its only skatepark upgraded after 15 years. It’s all because of a 19-year-old skater who competed in this summer’s Olympics in Paris. Friends of Fernandina Skate Park will welcome back that Olympian with a homecoming parade in her honor.
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Poe Pinson competed in Women’s Street Skateboarding, at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
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She finished in fifth place and was the first northeast Florida athlete ever to qualify for the summer Olympics in skateboarding.
Her skateboarding journey all started at the park in Fernandina Beach. The president of Friends of Fernandina Skatepark, Waldemar Borrero, said he knew Pinson would make history for her city.
“If we made her this small skatepark, imagine what we can do with a bigger skatepark,” Borrero said.
Mayor Bradley Bean agreed with Borrero and allocated $58,000 to upgrade the skatepark.
“To refurbish all the existing equipment. We want to make sure this stays great for future generations to skate on,” Mayor Been said. “We are talking with the commission about how we can improve and expand this skatepark. That’s two things we need to get done, and let’s name the whole thing after Poe.”
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One dad said Poe is paving the way for other young skaters like his two boys. “She gave me the pair of shoes that I have on my feet right now,” young skater Quinn Johnston said
“She is just a really awesome person,” young skater Holden Johnston said.
Poe will be returning home from Paris next week.
The city will hold a parade in honor of Poe on Aug. 16.
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