Fernandina Beach skatepark getting upgraded and renamed after Olympic skateboarder Poe Pinson

If you’ve been keeping up with the 2024 Summer Olympics, then you probably recognize the name Poe Pinson, a 19-year-old skater from Fernandina Beach, who competed in the Women’s Street Skateboarding competition in Paris this year!

Pinson finished fifth place in her Olympic competition and was the first northeast Florida athlete to ever qualify for the Summer Olympics in skateboarding.

To honor such a big accomplishment, Fernandina Beach is upgrading its skatepark after 15 years and changing the name to honor Pinson, who’s skateboarding journey began 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.”

With Pinson returning home from Paris this week, the city of Fernandina Beach is holding a parade in her honor on Friday, August 16 beginning at Central Park at 6 p.m.