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RIDGELY - Billy Peterson, owner of Central Skate Supply in Ridgely, is leading an effort to bring a brand-new skatepark to Martin Sutton Park. What started as an idea presented at a Ridgely town meeting has grown into a community-backed initiative with commissioner approval and professional designs on the table. But for Peterson, the project is personal.
“I started skating in the late 90s on my family’s farm in Dorchester County,” Peterson said, “I learned my first tricks in the grass.” Options for local skateparks were even more limited then, so Peterson said he skated for hours on a small concrete pad on the farm. “It’s more than a hobby — it’s a lifestyle and a community that continues to shape who I am.”
That love of skateboarding eventually led Peterson to open Central Skate Supply on May 22, 2021. “I wanted to create a place where local skaters could get gear and also feel like they belonged,” he said. Today, the shop has become just that. With both indoor and outdoor mini ramps, events, demos, lessons, and competitions, Central Skate Supply draws skaters from across Maryland and Delaware. “It’s become a hub for skaters of all ages, and people travel from all over to be part of it.”
Peterson’s vision for a new skatepark in Ridgely comes from his own history with the town’s current skatepark and his concern about its current state. The Ridgely skatepark was originally built out of wood. “That park eventually got knocked down and rebuilt in concrete nearly 20 years ago,” he said. “Since then, I’ve seen generations of kids and adults use it to skate, ride bikes, and have a safe place to hang out and be active. Now, though, it’s outdated and doesn’t really meet the needs of today’s skaters, riders, and scooter riders.”
“It wasn’t designed or built by professional skatepark builders, and after almost two decades it’s showing its age,” Peterson said. For that reason, he believes it’s time for a new design and a new build. “That’s why Ridgely now has the opportunity to build a new park designed and constructed by Spohn Ranch, one of the top skatepark design and construction companies in the world…skateboarding has grown so much — it’s even in the Olympics — and kids need a modern, safe place to learn, progress, and just be themselves. People will travel for a good park, and Ridgely is the perfect central location for it.”
Peterson first presented his idea publicly during the July 7 Ridgely Town Commission meeting. Since then, he has continued to speak out and gather momentum. At the August 4 Commission meeting, he and his supporters emphasized the benefits of unique skateparks. Peterson pointed out that “people will travel for skateparks because they are all different.” He explained that Central Skate Supply already attracts skaters from all over, and a new park would expand that reach. He also noted the broad age range of participants in the sport. “I’ve had people in the shop that start as young as 2 and some all the way up to their 70s,” he said. Skateparks don’t have to be limited to just skateboarders either, they can be used by scooter riders, rollerbladers, bikers, and even people in wheelchairs.
Although the town of Ridgely has given its blessing to the project, leaders made clear they cannot provide town funding. Still, that hasn’t slowed Peterson down. He has worked with Ridgely’s Director of Operations to look at potential sites within Martin Sutton Park and has collaborated with Spohn Ranch on concept designs and cost estimates. He also has experience supporting similar skatepark initiatives in Easton and Chestertown.
“The process has been about building a team and getting everyone on board,” Peterson explained. “I’ve worked with the town to plan the project. Spohn Ranch has created a concept design, and we’ve been working with the town to explore different funding opportunities. Right now, things are moving in the right direction. We’ve got community support, council backing, and a clear plan. The next step is securing the funding and making sure the park is built properly by professionals who know what they’re doing.”
“This project is about giving kids, teens, and adults a safe, positive space where they can be active, creative, and part of a community,” he said. “A good skatepark is an investment in the town and its future. The ultimate goal is to build a modern, lasting skatepark that Ridgely can be proud of .”
