Gailea Momolu Courtyard Skatepark

The Gailea Momolu Courtyard Skate Park is moving from vision to reality, and the latest designs show just how special this space is going to be for Beacon Hill and the surrounding community.

Named in honour of Gailea Momolu, a professional skateboarder whose passion and talent continue to inspire skaters across generations, this project is about more than ramps and rails. It is about creating a place that reflects Gailea’s legacy while giving the next generation a space to grow, connect, and belong.

Gailea built a career that many only dream of — turning talent, resilience, and relentless work into a decade as a professional skateboarder in a competitive industry.

Reflecting on his journey, Gailea once shared how proud he was that sponsors believed in him and took a chance on “an African American kid from Ottawa with a super African name.” At a time when many incredibly talented skaters had no sponsorship at all, he never took that opportunity for granted. Skateboarding gave him a way forward — a path out of a difficult chapter in Ottawa and into something bigger.

He has spoken openly about loyalty, about learning, and about moments where he may have been taken advantage of — but never with bitterness. Only pride. Pride in what he achieved. Pride in the opportunities he earned. Pride in having the chance to do what he loved.

And that pride matters.

This skate park is about legacy. It is about showing young people — especially those who may not always see themselves reflected in certain spaces — that talent and determination can open doors. It is about creating a place where the next generation can challenge themselves, connect with others, and find their own path forward.

Designed as a true neighbourhood hub, the courtyard skate park will be a welcoming, energetic space where people come together. Skaters of all skill levels will have a place to practice, learn, and challenge themselves, while friends, families, and passersby will be able to sit back, watch the action, and enjoy the rhythm of the neighbourhood. With trains passing nearby and the park active throughout the day, the space is designed to feel alive, social, and deeply connected to its surroundings.

The project represents years of conversation, planning, and persistence. Like landing a trick after countless attempts, reaching this stage reflects the dedication of the community, the design team, and everyone who has believed in this project from the beginning. The result is shaping up to be a skate park that feels authentic, intentional, and rooted in the character of Beacon Hill.

For the Momolu family, who continue to proudly call Beacon Hill home, this park is a meaningful tribute to Gailea and the impact he had both on and off the board. For the wider community, it is a new gathering place that encourages movement, creativity, and connection.

For them, this park is a meaningful tribute. For Beacon Hill, it is a place that celebrates movement, resilience, belonging, and possibility.

Community feedback is now open, and residents are invited to take part in shaping the final vision for the park. This is an opportunity to share ideas, highlight what matters most, and help create a space that will serve the neighbourhood for years to come.

To learn more about the project and share your feedback, visit:
https://engage.ottawa.ca/gailea-momolu-skateboard-park

The Gailea Momolu Courtyard Skate Park is on track to become a landmark space, one that reflects the spirit of the community and brings people together through shared energy, shared space, and shared pride.