Sylva Pipes and new market come to town landscape

Nov 06, 2023

Dedication ceremonies are set for Sylva Pipes, ready to host skateboarders, on June 15.

By Dave Russell

Sylva Pipes, three curved wooden ramps ready for skateboard wheels, will open with a dedication set for 4 p.m. Thursday, June 15.

The new downtown amenity is behind Motion Makers Bicycle Shop (36 Allen St.).

The event will unveil the town's first skating features for skating enthusiasts and spectators.

Town and county leaders have discussed a permanent, professionally designed in-ground park.

The town exhausted all possible town property options for a permanent skate park, and Motion Makers property owner Kent Cranford was willing to lease space behind the shop to host some pipes for play and practice, Main Street Economic Development Director Bernadette Peters said in a release.

The half pipe and quarter pipes are wood and moveable since the property is privately owned. They were funded by earmarked American Rescue Funds. Sylva's Public Works Department prepared the site and assembled and finished the pipes. Sylva Art & Design also raised funds to go toward additional features and supports.

"We wanted to find an easy, accessible location for the kids and secure a few features in town to have a safe place to skate without driving to Waynesville or Cherokee," said Greg McPherson, a town board member, downtown resident and parent of a graduating Smoky Mountain High School senior.

Sylva Pipes will be open from 9 a.m. until sunset seven days a week, and cameras have been installed to ensure responsible use of the facilities.

"We appreciate the local skater community's desire for a skate park in our county," town Manager Paige Dowling said. "This is a small start that we are excited about."

Black Balsam Outdoors and Burnpile Skate Shop will have gear available for sale at the dedication. Immediately following the dedication, attendees may choose to attend the first WNC Farm-To-Table Third Thursday Market at Bridge Park.

WNC Farm-to-Table is a local food hub operated by Director Lisa McBride, who plans for festival/market after the skating.

The 5-8 p.m. event at Bridge Park is the kickoff for a series of Third Thursday Markets.

"We’ll have music every month," she said. "And I’m booking food trucks. Chili Chomper is our food truck for this month. People can take advantage of the Social District and come back down with a drink to hang out and shop."

The market is farmers-only until December, with no crafts included.

For more information about Sylva Pipes, go to www.MainStreetSylva.org or contact Peters at [email protected] or 586-2719.

To learn more about WNC Farm-To-Table, see www.wncfarmtotable.org or visit 513 Mill St., Sylva.

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