Grinding Against the Odds, Skate AC Builds Skateparks Where They’re Needed Most

Article by R.C. Rodriguez. Photo by Wirestock

Imagine a teenager hanging out with their friends around parks in the city. Everywhere they go, they are monitored, unwelcome, and pushed out. They wonder where they belong, where they can exist without being seen as a threat or a nuisance. They look around, but all they see is litter, disarray, displacement, and danger. Is this all that is available to them? Is this where society expects people like them to grow up?

These are the thoughts that led Jason Klotz, founder of Skate AC—an organization that promotes events, teaches skateboarding lessons, and supports the local skating community—to his mission to create safe, engaging spaces for youth in Atlantic City. 

But Klotz’s vision wasn’t born overnight. It was shaped by years of observing how the city’s youth lacked spaces where they could truly be themselves. He saw the spark in kids who found freedom on a skateboard, even when the world around them felt restrictive. That sense of potential, paired with his deep roots in the community, made him realize that skateboarding could be more than just a hobby. It could be a tool for change. 

Klotz grew up in the area, where he witnessed firsthand the struggles of limited recreational options and the constant presence of law enforcement. This often discouraged local kids from gathering in the parks and skating. Instead of accepting these limitations, he chose to take action—building a movement that blends skateboarding, community, and cannabis.

Skateboarding has long been an outlet for creativity and self-expression. But in many cities, skateboarders have faced pushback from authorities. For Klotz, this was a reality growing up in Atlantic City. He recalls struggling to find places to skate. This fueled his determination to create a better environment for the next generation. That’s when he founded Skate AC. In 2018, Skate AC built Atlantic City’s first skate park, a $50,000 project that marked a major step forward. Now, the organization is working on an even bigger project—building a new skate park in Uptown Atlantic City with a budget of nearly $100,000.

Beyond the physical space, Klotz says the project aims to build community. He believes skateboarding can bring people together and create moments that uplift individuals, offering an alternative to the boredom and negativity that often come from a lack of positive activities or third spaces. Third spaces are locations where people can gather for free, like parks, libraries, or malls. While known for enriching social interaction, community, and a sense of belonging, these areas are disappearing, according to research in the journal Health and Place.  

Now, as an adult, he is creating those very spaces he once wished for.

Since its founding, Skate AC has had a profound impact on young skaters in Atlantic City. The first Skate AC park transformed a once neglected area into a space where families and skaters could gather at no expense. Since then, Klotz has seen kids grow into skilled skateboarders, with some even becoming sponsored professionals. But beyond talent, he’s most proud of helping kids build confidence—seeing their excitement when they land a new trick, face their fears, and develop resilience.

For Klotz, skateboarding is more than just a sport—it’s a metaphor for life. Learning to skate requires persistence, embracing failure, and pushing past fear, all of which translate into other areas of life. Skating encourages kids to set goals, visualize success, and work toward it step by step. He often compares it to having a superpower—a way to create happiness through self-discipline and determination. He hopes to teach these values through Skate AC, helping kids become stronger, more self-sufficient individuals. Skate AC doesn’t just build parks. It fosters an environment where everyone is encouraged to grow, take risks, and support one another.

It was through the creation of Atlantic City’s first skate park in 2018 that the community began to notice a positive shift in the conditions of the area. Klotz advocated for local officials to put up streetlights, remove dirt and debris such as broken bottles that littered the streets and sidewalks, and maintain the skatepark that sparked this rebirth. As conditions in the area improved, families started to commune in the once abandoned, stigmatized and violent neighborhood.  

Now, with the second park in the works, Klotz envisions an even greater impact—spreading positivity through skateboarding while supporting cannabis normalization.

A key aspect of Skate AC’s mission is advocating for communities affected by cannabis prohibition. Klotz highlights how the War on Drugs harmed Atlantic City’s communities, creating long-term consequences for residents. 

It is clear that Klotz is also active in representing cannabis with his brand Clearly Faded by sponsoring events such as Flowery Fest and Outside Fest. The Flowery hosted both events in Staten Island over the weekend of 4/20. Klotz even hints at the erection of a new skate park on the island in his latest Instagram post. 

Klotz has worked with several cannabis brands and dispensaries to host engaging pop-ups as well as events that feature his brands Cleary Faded and Skate AC; some of those companies include High Stone, The Good Life Collective, and The Emerald Dispensary. These events feature Klotz and his team teaching impromptu skate lessons, performing some impressive tricks on ramps provided by Skate AC and informing guests of his products and dosing out merchandise from his brand. 

For Klotz, cannabis and skateboarding go hand-in-hand as tools for self-improvement and creativity. He sees cannabis as a way to open minds, reduce anxiety, and help people connect with their passions—whether it’s skating, art, or community-building.

At the heart of everything Klotz does is a desire to build a positive, supportive community. He believes in encouraging people to uplift one another. He also hopes to continue advocating for cannabis normalization and breaking down the barriers that once held communities back.

As the movement grows, he encourages everyone to get involved, support local skaters, and be part of something bigger. Through Skate AC, Klotz is proving that peaceful, productive and positive potheads exist.