Exciting Progress on Wheels Roller Skating Rink Public Art Installation
In collaboration with Durham Parks and Recreation, the Cultural and Public Art Program is thrilled to announce an exciting step forward in the creation of a new public art installation for Wheels Roller Skating Rink at Merrick Moore. This site-specific artwork, now in the design and fabrication stage, is being crafted by Dare Coulter an award-winning artist, muralist, and sculptor. The artwork, inspired by Durham residents childhood memories and community feedback, will add to the rich history and vibrant future of this Durham-favorite location and resonates with Durham’s unique culture and community spirit.
The Wheels Roller Skating Rink, part of the former Wheels Fun Park, is being revitalized as part of the Splash & Play project. Through community engagement sessions, residents voiced a strong desire to see the rink re-opened, ensuring it remains a community hub that celebrates Wheels’ history as a place for family fun, athletic, and recreational activities since 1980.
Anticipated to open in by the end of this year, Wheels Roller Skating Rink is set to reintroduce an updated yet familiar space for the community. The public art project aims to honor Wheels’ legacy and provide a visual tribute to the memories created there. For more details on the Splash & Play construction and engagement process, visit Durham Parks & Recreation’s website.