Our Story - Voyage Ohio
Published on voyageohio.com
JUNE 23, 2022
Conversations
with Jason Salisbury
Today we’d like to introduce you to
Jason Salisbury.
Hi Jason, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The Carver Society has been established to raise awareness of our need for more indoor skatepark facilities in the Northeast regions of the U.S. – where skateboarding at our free outdoor skateparks is limited to daylight hours and somewhat decent weather.
Here in Akron, Ohio, our weather is less than favorable for almost six months out of the year. During times of in climate weather, such as rain, snow, extreme cold, and darkness, the skateboarding community has nowhere else to enjoy the sport, that is unless they drive about an away.
That makes it difficult for youths as well as many adults, that do not have the means or time to make the drive.
Leaving very little time to skate.
As a skateboarder myself, I have always had that passion to maintain a connection to the sport and industry, and helping the community is a great way to do just that!
A brief history of my background…
My name is Jason Salisbury, many know me as Jay. Born in January 1974, I grew up in Barberton, Ohio and first stepped on a skateboard around 1987/88. I remember my buddy John riding over to my house one sunny summer afternoon on his new Nash skateboard. It was awesome! It wasn’t too long after that, I got my first board, a Veriflex from KMart.
[Photo: Clay's Park Skate Contest 1989]
I had skated up until my senior year of high school in 1992, then after graduation, started working more, got married, and you just get away from it. But every now and then, I would get back in for a bit. Then in August 2014, I had a fall while skating at a concrete skatepark without a helmet and had a Traumatic Brain Injury, bleeding on the brain, it was bad… but that’s a story for another day.
I eventually got back on the board again. It took a while, but you have to get past any fears. Now I skate as often as I can at 48yrs old, and always wearing a helmet.
One thing that has changed from the 1980s is outdoor skateparks. Back then, we didn’t have any free outdoor skateparks. We had to build our own ramps out of whatever scrap wood we could find and take it to the local park, school, or skate it in the street.
Those were the days!
Now it seems every community is getting its own outdoor skatepark.
This is a great thing!!! But again, in this part of the country, use of these outdoor skateparks are extremely limited, emphasizing our need for more quality indoor skatepark facilities in the area… starting here, in Akron, OH.
This would allow skateboarding enthusiasts and the community to participate in the art and sport of skateboarding on a year-round basis.
As I began skateboarding more and visiting these outdoor skateparks, I started thinking… why aren’t there that many indoor skateparks around?
Especially in this region. So, I started to look into things. Now, I have had an idea in the back of my mind, to open a skatepark someday, but it was only an idea – for about a decade. Until now.
With the popularity of skateboarding at an all-time high, I figured now is a wonderful time to start something.
Skateboarding just made its debut in the Olympics!!! Skaters that were Pro in the ’80s are still Pro and skating today! That means skateboarding isn’t just a toy for kids anymore.
Skateboarding has become something people have enjoyed for generations! Older guys like me are still out there carving around and loving every moment. And it has many amazing health benefits, too.
So, that is the story of The Carver Society – a non-profit organization dedicated to improving and growing the skateboarding community in Akron, Ohio, by raising awareness and establishing an indoor skatepark facility where skateboarding enthusiasts can participate in skateboarding year-round.
2022 is just the beginning.
Right now, I am just out there skateboarding, checking out the local spots and introducing myself to as many skateboarders as I can, and sharing the story to grow followers and gain support… spreading the word.
The goal is to have a facility large enough to support the whole Northeast Ohio area including Akron, Canton, and Cleveland. But we’ll start with Akron and see how large the skateboarding community is and what kind of support we can generate.
There are a handful of other non-profit indoor skateparks throughout the U.S. operating successfully for many years, so I know it is possible.
It will take time. One by one, every person helps. Every signature on the petition, every donation and contribution, every like and share!
Skateboarders are amazing individuals. Amazing people doing amazing things. And skateboarding opens up a world that allows them to be creative and express themselves in a very unique way. I support that.
Would you? You can help us achieve our goals and support our mission!
Visit thecarversociety.org today!
Sign our petition to show you support an indoor skatepark facility in Akron.
Donate to help us reach our goals and support our overall mission.
Like, Follow, and Share on social media with your family and friends!
Until then, I hope to see ya at the skatepark!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Professionally, I am a Business Manager/Finance Manager. at one of the largest motorcycle dealerships/powersports dealerships in the Midwest.
Creatively I am an artist, tattooist, photographer, outside the box kind of guy.
I have a degree in Marketing and Sales Management along with over 10yrs experience in sales and marketing.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Contact us for more information.
We need help in every way.
I look forward to talking with anyone that has an interest in helping and supporting skateboarding.
– Jay Salisbury
The Carver Society
thecarversociety.org
@thecarversociety