I have some really cool teenagers: a 17-year-old boy, twin 14-year-old boys, and a 12-year-old girl. Recently, they have decided to conduct their own “masterclass,” complete with PowerPoint presentations and everything. My daughter has decided she is going to do a class on ballet. One twin will do his on learning to play an instrument. While the other two teenagers haven’t quite landed on their masterclass topic yet, I’m sure it’s going to be delightful.
But as amazing as my teenagers are, they aren’t fans of everything. None of my kids are into playing basketball. They don’t get excited about sports in general. I can’t dangle parties with loud music over their heads to get them to do what I want. Just as photography doesn’t make their hearts flutter, there are some things and places in Memphis that my teenagers just aren’t into. It’s not that these places are bad, it’s just that they don’t tickle their fancy. My kids are not entirely fans of skating parks or community centers, but both places are perfect places for teenagers to be a part of a community and become mentally enriched as well.
Memphis Community Centers
When I was younger, I used to love going to the Ed Rice Community Center. I most loved their tennis courts and hilly terrain. Community centers have always played a crucial role in supporting and strengthening Black communities. They’ve been hubs for educational resources. My mom even has pleasant memories of having access to routine medical check-ups at her local community center. Even today, these centers are hubs for financial information, health classes, majorette teams, free play, and meeting rooms. I would love for my teens to say, “Hey, Mom! We’re gonna hang out at the community center for a little bit. We’re meeting our friends there, too.” Oh how pleasant that would be! But community centers just aren’t their cup of tea. The last time we went, we engaged in arts and crafts. The entire family made bracelets and necklaces. We watched some kids play soccer in the distance. And lastly we stopped inside the Gaisman Community Center to cool off. (Yeah, it’s been that long.) But have they begged to go back? Nope. (I wonder if they have video games to lure them in.)
While my teenagers might not be begging to go, I will definitely be engaging in Gaisman Community Center’s Books ‘N’ Breakfast. You are treated to a full spread breakfast and a free book! Hey now! Don’t tempt me with a good time. Check out the Memphis Community Centers by visiting memphisparks.com. Pro tips for visiting any one of Memphis’ 26 centers: 1) Get a membership at memphisparks.recdesk.com/Community/Home. 2) Plan out your visit using the calendar of events. 3) Go often!
Raleigh Skate Park
Once upon a time, during COVID, we bought a skateboard for our kids. They had never skateboarded before, but my husband and I thought they needed a new outdoor hobby. So began a short affair with the skateboard. We would wake in the mornings and go outside immediately after breakfast. They would take turns skateboarding up and down the street. Slowly and carefully. But it did not last long. One by one, the kids lost interest in skateboarding. We tried taking them to Society Skate Park a couple of times, but they never got completely hooked on it.
But is skateboarding awesome? Absolutely. Sure it gets the kids out of the house, and away from their phones and devices. But did you know that the skateboarding community is extremely supportive and encouraging?
It’s no secret I love going to the library, specifically my home library in Raleigh. I often reward myself with a trip if I complete three laps of the walking trail. This trail goes around a beautiful lake and extends to the Raleigh Skate Park. I have witnessed older men teaching young kids how to land tricks safely. I have heard the encouraging cheers and claps from fellow skateboarders. But it’s not only skateboarders who hang out there. There are bikers and roller skaters too. It’s an eclectic community on wheels, and I would love for my teenagers to be a part of it. Just because it’s not their “thing” doesn’t mean it isn’t a great place for teens to hang out.
And maybe that’s just part of raising teenagers. They don’t have to be interested in what I want them to be interested in. Community centers and skate parks may not be their thing right now, but that doesn’t take away from their value. Memphis is full of spaces that build connection and character. My job? Keep introducing them. Plant the seed. And wait for it to bloom.
Patricia Lockhart is a native Memphian who loves to read, write, cook, and eat. By day, she’s a librarian and writer, but by night … she’s asleep.