City leaders have a message for unruly and sometimes destructive visitors to the skatepark — shape up or get out.
Officials said they hope the many responsible users of the $500,000 skatepark at Rockwell Park will take it upon themselves to clamp down on loud music, swearing, vandalism and other problems that are creating a growing number of complaints.
“If they’re not going to police it themselves, we’ll have to take it over,” Mayor Art Ward.
Ward said that police are spending ever more time in the area and the cost of keeping things under control there is escalating. CLICK HERE FOR STORY
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Showing posts with label skatepark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label skatepark. Show all posts
April 24, 2010
September 19, 2009
Skateboarders still loving the new skatepark
As the city’s skatepark nears its first birthday, it’s still drawing large crowds and rave reviews.
“I always thought Bristol was a loser town until it did this,” said Jeremy Johnson, 17.
Johnson, a skateboarder, said there was “nothing to do” in town until the $500,000 skatepark opened last November at Rockwell Park.
“Now we just come here,” he said. “I have to say that it’s really nice.”
The 16,000-square-foot skatepark, built by California Skateparks, took seven years to come to fruition, the result of pressure from young people and an awareness of the need spurred by ESPN’s X Trials at Lake Compounce in 2001.
Skateboard legend Tony Hawk and other professional extreme athletes told The Tattoo’s teen journalists at the time that Bristol should have its own skatepark, an idea that resonated with young people in town.
Though the new skatepark has had its controversies – too much swearing, too much trash and perhaps too many lawsuits – officials are generally happy that it’s proven so successful.
Former city Councilor Ellen Zoppo said Saturday the skatepark is frequently busy and those using it are reasonably well-behaved.
“They look like they’re having fun,” said city Councilor Ken Cockayne.
Zoppo said her only real regret about it is that the skatepark couldn’t be done sooner, which left most of the young athletes who first called for it out of luck.
Cockayne said a few injury claims have been filed with the city and passed on for its insurance company to pay or deny. But it doesn’t appear the skatepark has created any serious liability issues.
What it has done for sure, though, is vastly reduce the number of skateboarders congregating illegally on private property downtown.
Cockayne said he rarely sees that anymore.
“What you really need to tell people,” said Liam Nelson, 15, “is that this park is great. I don’t know who to thank for it, but tell everybody thank you for building it.”
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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
“I always thought Bristol was a loser town until it did this,” said Jeremy Johnson, 17.
Johnson, a skateboarder, said there was “nothing to do” in town until the $500,000 skatepark opened last November at Rockwell Park.
“Now we just come here,” he said. “I have to say that it’s really nice.”
The 16,000-square-foot skatepark, built by California Skateparks, took seven years to come to fruition, the result of pressure from young people and an awareness of the need spurred by ESPN’s X Trials at Lake Compounce in 2001.
Skateboard legend Tony Hawk and other professional extreme athletes told The Tattoo’s teen journalists at the time that Bristol should have its own skatepark, an idea that resonated with young people in town.
Though the new skatepark has had its controversies – too much swearing, too much trash and perhaps too many lawsuits – officials are generally happy that it’s proven so successful.
Former city Councilor Ellen Zoppo said Saturday the skatepark is frequently busy and those using it are reasonably well-behaved.
“They look like they’re having fun,” said city Councilor Ken Cockayne.
Zoppo said her only real regret about it is that the skatepark couldn’t be done sooner, which left most of the young athletes who first called for it out of luck.
Cockayne said a few injury claims have been filed with the city and passed on for its insurance company to pay or deny. But it doesn’t appear the skatepark has created any serious liability issues.
What it has done for sure, though, is vastly reduce the number of skateboarders congregating illegally on private property downtown.
Cockayne said he rarely sees that anymore.
“What you really need to tell people,” said Liam Nelson, 15, “is that this park is great. I don’t know who to thank for it, but tell everybody thank you for building it.”
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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
June 2, 2009
Vandal ID'd by skatepark denizens
Last week, during an evening park program registration drive at Rockwell Park, a teenager clambered up on some construction equipment, took a rock and smashed the window.
As the glass fell, nearby park officials raced to respond.
"We took off after him," Park Director Ed Swicklas said Tuesday.
But the young man outran them and escaped.
What the vandal didn't count on, though, was the willingness of other youngsters at the skatepark to point the finger at him.
Swicklas said that with the help of skateboarders, officials were able to identify the culprit, who is probably a minor, and tell the police about him.
The police are investigating. Arrests of minors aren't reported so it's not clear if they've tracked hm down yet.
The park director said the willingness to help track down the vandal is merely one a series of actions by users of the skatepark that have helped the city recently.
After park officials complained about the mess at the $500,000 skatepark this spring, users have done much better at sprucing it up.
"The area's been pretty nice. It's been pretty clean," Swicklas said.
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
May 20, 2009
Less trash at skatepark as users rally to clean up
Since park commissioners warned that the skatepark had to be kept clean or else, the hordes of young people who use it have responded to the challenge.
Josh Therriault, a 20-year-old college student, said he and about 20 other older users have taken the lead in making sure the $500,000 skatepark at Rockwell Park doesn’t become a trash heap.
He said they formed a committee that includes a “solid seven” who regularly police the skatepark and encourage younger skateboarders and bikers to pick up after themselves.
Park Director Ed Swicklas said they’re making a difference.
“It’s been a great help,” Swicklas said.
With as many as 500 people using the skatepark each day -- at least when the weather is nice -- there’s a significant amount of garbage that piles up there, including plastic water bottles and energy drink containers.
Park officials complained this month that too much of the debris was flung on the ground rather than placed in one of the trash cans on the site.
They warned that if things didn’t improve, they would have to take steps to force better behavior, perhaps by fencing the skatepark and charging a fee for its use.
That caught the attention of many skateboarders and parents who saw the story in The Bristol Press.
Therriault said he wanted to make sure the skatepark would be cleaned up so that alternatives wouldn’t need to be considered.
He said it is “an honor to have something like” the new skatepark in Bristol, which has won rave reviews from skateboarders throughout the region.
“It’s been so long” in the works, he said, that he’s determined to make sure it remains.
Lori DeFillippi, a park commissioner, said that users need to know “it’s a privilege that can be taken away” if the skatepark is abused.
“Don’t blow it,” warned Pat Nelligan, another commissioner.
But Susan Everett, a park panelist, told colleagues they were “dumping on” on Therriault with their warnings when he is leading the effort to do what they want.
Shawn Brunoli, a skateboarder, said he’s seen a big improvement.
One nice thing, he said, is that people who come to the park to walk are offering to help pick up, too, because they can see how much the younger crowd loves the skatepark.
Swicklas said the city has started putting in some landscaping around the skatepark that might help control the littering.
New trash cans that can’t be removed and used as obstacles by skateboarders are also helping, officials said.
Jason Krueger, the assistant park director, said the situation is getting better.
He said that the garbage now is mostly in or around the barrels, which sometimes overflow.
Swicklas said that more barrels will be added to ensure there are enough to handle the volume of trash at the skatepark.
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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Josh Therriault, a 20-year-old college student, said he and about 20 other older users have taken the lead in making sure the $500,000 skatepark at Rockwell Park doesn’t become a trash heap.
He said they formed a committee that includes a “solid seven” who regularly police the skatepark and encourage younger skateboarders and bikers to pick up after themselves.
Park Director Ed Swicklas said they’re making a difference.
“It’s been a great help,” Swicklas said.
With as many as 500 people using the skatepark each day -- at least when the weather is nice -- there’s a significant amount of garbage that piles up there, including plastic water bottles and energy drink containers.
Park officials complained this month that too much of the debris was flung on the ground rather than placed in one of the trash cans on the site.
They warned that if things didn’t improve, they would have to take steps to force better behavior, perhaps by fencing the skatepark and charging a fee for its use.
That caught the attention of many skateboarders and parents who saw the story in The Bristol Press.
Therriault said he wanted to make sure the skatepark would be cleaned up so that alternatives wouldn’t need to be considered.
He said it is “an honor to have something like” the new skatepark in Bristol, which has won rave reviews from skateboarders throughout the region.
“It’s been so long” in the works, he said, that he’s determined to make sure it remains.
Lori DeFillippi, a park commissioner, said that users need to know “it’s a privilege that can be taken away” if the skatepark is abused.
“Don’t blow it,” warned Pat Nelligan, another commissioner.
But Susan Everett, a park panelist, told colleagues they were “dumping on” on Therriault with their warnings when he is leading the effort to do what they want.
Shawn Brunoli, a skateboarder, said he’s seen a big improvement.
One nice thing, he said, is that people who come to the park to walk are offering to help pick up, too, because they can see how much the younger crowd loves the skatepark.
Swicklas said the city has started putting in some landscaping around the skatepark that might help control the littering.
New trash cans that can’t be removed and used as obstacles by skateboarders are also helping, officials said.
Jason Krueger, the assistant park director, said the situation is getting better.
He said that the garbage now is mostly in or around the barrels, which sometimes overflow.
Swicklas said that more barrels will be added to ensure there are enough to handle the volume of trash at the skatepark.
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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
May 8, 2009
Trash, cursing mar city's skatepark
When crowds gather at the city’s new skatepark – which happens every time the sun is shining – a sea of debris usually follows.
Surrounding the $500,000 skatepark are scores of plastic water bottles, candy wrappers and energy drinks of all sorts. The trash cans are often dumped entirely as skateboarders haul them over to use as obstacles.
Park Director Ed Swicklas said he’s got someone picking up the trash there for as much as three hours a day.
Park officials said if they don’t see things get better in the next couple of months, they’ll consider fencing the skatepark and perhaps even supervising its use.
“We gotta see an improvement,” said Bob Fiorito, a park commissioner.
Park officials said that landscaping efforts in the next few weeks may help and putting in trash receptacles that can’t be hauled out by over-eager skateboarders should at least keep youngsters from overturning barrels.
Shawn Brunoli, a skateboarder, said that because the skatepark is “always packed” with boarders, bikers and friends, the sheer number of people likely contributes to the trash that’s tossed all over.
“We’re struggling with the fact that nobody seems to want to put anything in the trash barrels,” Swicklas said.
He said it angers him to find “seven million energy bottles” strewn around on a Monday morning.
Cindy Donovan, a park commissioner, said that she’s seen the “trash all over” the place at the skatepark day after day. She said it angers her, too, because the users don’t even have to pay to use the new facility.
“Wherever they stand, they just drop what they finish,” Swicklas said, with no concern for the appearance of the place.
Officials admit, though, that because the landscaping isn’t done, the skatepark still has the look of a construction site, which may contribute to the feeling that cleaning up isn’t needed.
Swicklas said that he wishes the skateboarders and bikers who profess to love the new recreational facility, which opened last fall, will “take ownership of it” and take care of it.
He said that users of downtown’s Brackett Park, which got a major facelift a few years ago, have done a good job of policing it. He said the older and more responsible people at Brackett Park make sure others follow their lead in preventing vandalism and keeping things clean.
Swicklas said the skatepark needs to develop the same sort of ethos.
“When they start cleaning up after themselves and others, they stop littering,” Donovan said.
Officials said they’re desperate to find a solution for the skatepark’s care.
“We don’t want it dumpy,” said Tom Ragaini, a park commissioner.
Donovan expressed skepticism that things are going to get better.
She said she’s certain the new landscaping – mostly grass and low-lying shrubs – will get trampled.
“It’s just going to be ruined,” Donovan said.
But Swicklas said he thinks the young people who use the skatepark can learn to take care of it. He said the key is to make them aware of the concerns.
Watch your words, kids
As part of the $7 million renovation of Rockwell Park, officials decided to move the basketball court from its longstanding spot beside Mrs. Rockwell’s Playground to a new one beyond the center field fence at Muzzy Field.
The main reason for the change?
Officials wanted to keep the steady patter of foul language from the basketball players far from the young children next door.
So they put the new 16,000-square-foot skatepark where the basketball used to be.
That may not have been such a great choice.
Cindy Donovan, a park commissioner, said the foul language she hears at the skatepark is offensive and commonplace.
One skateboarder was screaming obscenities the other day, she said.
Donovan said she’s worried the new playground that should open this spring may be tarnished by the language. It could keep families with young children away, she said. – Steve Collins
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
April 15, 2009
5,000 sign petition calling for skatepark to be named for hit-and-run victim Henry Waye, Jr
Organizers pushing for the city to name its skatepark after hit-and-run victim Henry Waye, Jr managed to collect 5,000 signatures calling for park commissioners to take back the request.
But Park Board members said Wednesday there’s nothing they can do until until this time next year.
The city charter specifically requires that officials wait at least a year before naming anything after anyone, Mayor Art Ward said.
The park panel did, however, send the request to a subcommittee to explore options and to work with organizers so that when a year passes, there may be an agreement on what to do to remember the Bristol Central High School freshman who died March 5.
Steve Smith, who led the petition drive, said that Waye touched many lives in his 14 years.
“I want to do something positive with the grief” that so many are feeling at losing the smiling, happy boy to a hit-and-run driver.
Police are still investigating the George Street accident in which a pickup truck driver, Robert Park, hit Waye and kept on going. No charges have been filed.
Smith said that naming the skatepark after Waye would “a fitting tribute” because the boy enjoyed the newest addition at Rockwell Park from the first day that it opened last fall.
Smith said that he had no trouble collecting signatures and found “a great deal of support” for the idea among residents.
He proposed naming the skatepark the “Henry Waye, Jr Skatepark at Rockwell Park” to ensure that the respected Rockwell name wasn’t lost in the change.
If legal issues or other problems preclude naming the skatepark itself after Waye, Smith suggested putting up “a small honorary plaque” at the skatepark honoring the boy and other youngsters who have died in tragic circumstances at too young an age.
Patrick Nelligan, a park commissioner, said that the building and maintenance committee can look into what’s possible in the months ahead.
Nelligan said that by working with Smith, the committee should be able to reach an agreement that everyone is happy with.
Smith said he didn’t mind the year delay required by law.
“I realized this would take time,” he said. “I just think it would be the right thing to do.”
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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
But Park Board members said Wednesday there’s nothing they can do until until this time next year.
The city charter specifically requires that officials wait at least a year before naming anything after anyone, Mayor Art Ward said.
The park panel did, however, send the request to a subcommittee to explore options and to work with organizers so that when a year passes, there may be an agreement on what to do to remember the Bristol Central High School freshman who died March 5.
Steve Smith, who led the petition drive, said that Waye touched many lives in his 14 years.
“I want to do something positive with the grief” that so many are feeling at losing the smiling, happy boy to a hit-and-run driver.
Police are still investigating the George Street accident in which a pickup truck driver, Robert Park, hit Waye and kept on going. No charges have been filed.
Smith said that naming the skatepark after Waye would “a fitting tribute” because the boy enjoyed the newest addition at Rockwell Park from the first day that it opened last fall.
Smith said that he had no trouble collecting signatures and found “a great deal of support” for the idea among residents.
He proposed naming the skatepark the “Henry Waye, Jr Skatepark at Rockwell Park” to ensure that the respected Rockwell name wasn’t lost in the change.
If legal issues or other problems preclude naming the skatepark itself after Waye, Smith suggested putting up “a small honorary plaque” at the skatepark honoring the boy and other youngsters who have died in tragic circumstances at too young an age.
Patrick Nelligan, a park commissioner, said that the building and maintenance committee can look into what’s possible in the months ahead.
Nelligan said that by working with Smith, the committee should be able to reach an agreement that everyone is happy with.
Smith said he didn’t mind the year delay required by law.
“I realized this would take time,” he said. “I just think it would be the right thing to do.”
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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
March 31, 2009
Hey kids, sign the petition if you want
My Bristol Press colleague Bob Montgomery is a sweet man, but he doesn't know a thing about petitioning the government.
In his column yesterday, he raised the unnecessary question about whether people who are not registered voters in Bristol can sign the petition calling for the Park Board to name the new skatepark at Rockwell Park after Henry Waye, Jr.
The answer, of course, is that they sure can.
There are complicated -- unnecessarily complicated -- rules for signing petitions related to candidates and referenda. But there's no reason in the world that a petition asking for a skatepark to be named after someone has to follow those same ridiculously complex regulations.
In fact, there is a constitutional right for the people to petition their government. It doesn't say a word in there that would preclude young people from partaking of that fundamental right of any U.S. citizen.
Connecticut's Constition, too, mandates that citizens have a right to offer "by petition" their thoughts and grievances to the government.
Citizens are not just registered voters. They are all us, including kids.
So if you want to sign the petition, do it. They're available in a number of shops around town now. There's also an online petition.
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
March 21, 2009
Online petition to name skatepark after Henry Waye, Jr
The folks organizing the petition drive to name the new city skatepark after hit-and-run victim Henry Waye, Jr now have a way for people to sign online here.
There are also petitions around town at a number of businesses.
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
March 13, 2009
Push on to name new skatepark after Waye
The city should name its new skatepark after hit-and-run victim Henry Waye, Jr, many friends say.
“That would be pretty good,” said Michael Keith, a Bristol Central High School freshman who used to hang out with Waye at the Rockwell Park skatepark that opened last fall.
“It was the thing he loved to do,” Keith said.
At an informal vigil held Thursday near the George Street site where Waye, 14, was struck and killed on March 5 by a driver who never stopped, petitions were passed around calling for the city name the skatepark for Waye.
Waye’s father, Henry Waye, Sr, was among those who put his name on the lengthy list.
Steve Smith, who organized the petition drive, said Friday that he’s already got 350 signatures on the petitions – but he’s aiming for 5,000 by mid-April.
“I just want to take this tragedy and make something positive out of it,” Smith said.
The skatepark, opened after more than seven years of planning, is under the jurisdiction of the city’s Park Board.
Park Director Ed Swicklas said he’s heard of the interest in naming the park for Waye.
But, he said, there are some possible complications.
To begin with, Swicklas said, the park panel has a policy of waiting a year from the date of any naming request before it takes action. It’s meant to ensure that choices are made more coolly than may be possible soon after someone’s death.
In addition, the skatepark is technically located in Mrs. Rockwell’s Playground, an area deeded to the city generations ago for park use. Swicklas said the deed restrictions might make it impossible to name the skatepark for anybody other than Mrs. Rockwell, who would never have even seen a skateboard in her day.
Swicklas said that city lawyers can investigate the deed terms long before a year has passed so that park commissioners would know their options.
He said that even if the skatepark can’t be named for Waye – or if commissioners don’t like the idea – it might be possible to create a living memorial as part of the landscaping for the skatepark. That wouldn’t require the same level of bureaucratic and legal work.
Three eighth grade girls at Memorial Boulevard School – Jesslyn DesJardins, Nicole Worrell and Jenelly Ramos – said that because their friend Henry liked to hang out at the skatepark, naming it after him would be a nice gesture.
Smith said that Waye was there on the day the skatepark opened last fall and returned many times.
“His whole life was skating and bicycling,” Smith said.
Smith said that Waye was “just an outstanding kid” whose death hurt more than just the boy’s friends and family.
“The whole town’s had a loss here,” Smith said.
Want to sign the petition?
The organizer of the petition drive, Steve Smith, said that petitions are available at the Valero gas station at 105 West Street. He said he’ll be trying to get other businesses involved as well.
Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
November 12, 2008
Skatepark to open on Sunday
Press release from the city Parks Department:
The City of Bristol will be conducting an opening ceremony for the new cast -in-place skateboard park in Rockwell Park, 1 Dutton Ave., Bristol ,Ct on Sunday November 16, 2008 at 1pm. Please join us for the opening.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
May 22, 2008
$500K skatepark to be done by October
Though it’s been seven years in the making, the city’s new skatepark may prove worth the wait.“By the fall, it should be done,” said Tom Ragaini, a park commissioner.
The $500,000 project slated for completion at Rockwell Park by mid-October will offer skateboarders one of the best municipal projects in New England.
Park Director Ed Swicklas said it will be “top notch” and should prove a hit with skateboarders who have long congregated downtown to practice their moves illegally on the steps of the Barnes Group, City Hall and other buildings.
City officials are prepared next month to hire California Skateparks, an industry leader, to construct the 16,000-square-foot concrete skatepark on the site of the former basketball court at the historic park.
Director Ed Swicklas said the company was the only qualified bidder on the job.
The Park Board approved the deal this week, but the City Council needs to give its blessing before Mayor Art Ward can sign the contract.
The skatepark is part of a $6.5 million renovation of the West End park aimed at pumping life back into the park after years of growing neglect. The first phase of the project, which includes new parking lots, is underway.
Bids for the second phase are due next month, Swicklas said, which will include creating a new playground, fixing walkways and more.
A final phase will be aimed at fixing up the lagoon, which has languished since it was closed for swimming a decade ago.
Plans call for a mostly street level plaza with a single bowl, along with rails, steps, benches, ramps and other features that skateboarders will enjoy, officials said.
Swicklas said the original plan was changed with the help of the company to pare expenses without reducing the park much. Natural berms will be used where retaining walls were once contemplated, he said, and what may have been an excessive number of benches has been cut.
The original bid was almost $800,000 -- a budget buster -- but the revisions pared expense without losing much, Swicklas said.
The biggest dollar change made to lower the tab was shifting from the red concrete initially eyed to a more commonplace color, officials said.
Ragaini said that California Skateparks will do a bang-up job because they want more East Coast business.
“To them, this is a chance to show people what they can do,” Ragaini said.
California Skateparks has more than a decade of experience building more than 130 skateparks across the country, according to its website. The closest parks it has done are in Maine and New Jersey.
Building a skatepark has been on the city’s agenda since 2001 when city leaders promised to put one somewhere after ESPN’s X Trials at Lake Compounce drew attention to the sport.
But the plan ran into a major hurdle when officials could not find a place to build it that didn’t meet with opposition. A plan to put it at Page Park fell through when neighbors rallied to block it. There has been relatively little opposition to putting it at Rockwell Park.
Skaters for Public Skateparks (discussion about Bristol skatepark)
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
February 19, 2008
Only seven years late, a skatepark should be done by October
The skatepark slated for completion at Rockwell Park by October will be one of the best in the state, officials claim.
“Bristol will have a class one skatepark upon completion,” said David Dixon, a consultant from the Cheshire-based Milone & MacBroom. “My hope is that this becomes the envy of every other town in Connecticut.”
The skatepark will consist of a smooth, concrete plaza with a small bowl, Dixon said, and will include multiple layers with obstacles that skaters will be able to use freely.
The idea is to incorporate some of the urban terrain elements – ledges, rails, benches and the like – that have long drawn hordes of skateboarding fans downtown illegally.
The city is currently soliciting help from contractors who know what they’re doing when it comes to making topnotch skateparks.
“Concrete workers who know how to do sidewalks don’t necessarily know how to construct to the same type of standards that you have to do in order to make this skate-able,” Dixon said. “We’re going nationwide” to find a good contractor that knows what to do, Dixon said.
The 16,000-square-foot skatepark will be put on the former site of the basketball court, near the parking lot and pool. But it will be bigger than the court was.
After the design is finished, officials said, they’ll put out another bid solicitation to see how much it’s going to cost. “We’re constantly watching the costs,” Dixon said.
To help, Park Director Ed Swicklas is seeking a $25,000 grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation. Tony Hawk, perhaps the most famous skateboarder in the world, told The Tattoo teen newspaper in 2001 that Bristol should have a skatepark, which helped spur interest in creating it.
Dixon said that he construction to begin after July 1 and take about three months to finish. He said it should be done by October.
Michael Suchapar, a member of the Park Revitalization Committee, said he assumes there will be a requirement that kids wear safety equipment.
But Swicklas said the city plans to treat the skatepark the same as it does other park property.
“If they don’t wear” safety equipment, Swicklas said, “there’s not going to be a penalty for not having them.”
He said there will be signs warning boarders to wear proper safety equipment.
At least initially, Swicklas said, there are no plans to fence in the skatepark in or charge a fee top use it.
He said that skateboarders will likely keep a pretty good eye on each other to make sure that vandalism and damage is kept to a minimum.
“These kids and users are very unique in terms of skateboarding,” Swicklas said. “They police themselves” and have a great passion for it.
“We’re hoping they follow the rules,” he added
Building a skatepark has been on the city’s agenda since 2001 when city leaders promised to put one somewhere after ESPN’s X Trials at Lake Compounce drew attention to the sport.
But the plan ran into a major hurdle when officials could not find a place to build it that didn’t meet with opposition. A plan to put it at Page Park fell through when neighbors rallied to block it.
There has been relatively little opposition to putting it at Rockwell Park.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
“Bristol will have a class one skatepark upon completion,” said David Dixon, a consultant from the Cheshire-based Milone & MacBroom. “My hope is that this becomes the envy of every other town in Connecticut.”
The skatepark will consist of a smooth, concrete plaza with a small bowl, Dixon said, and will include multiple layers with obstacles that skaters will be able to use freely.
The idea is to incorporate some of the urban terrain elements – ledges, rails, benches and the like – that have long drawn hordes of skateboarding fans downtown illegally.
The city is currently soliciting help from contractors who know what they’re doing when it comes to making topnotch skateparks.
“Concrete workers who know how to do sidewalks don’t necessarily know how to construct to the same type of standards that you have to do in order to make this skate-able,” Dixon said. “We’re going nationwide” to find a good contractor that knows what to do, Dixon said.
The 16,000-square-foot skatepark will be put on the former site of the basketball court, near the parking lot and pool. But it will be bigger than the court was.
After the design is finished, officials said, they’ll put out another bid solicitation to see how much it’s going to cost. “We’re constantly watching the costs,” Dixon said.
To help, Park Director Ed Swicklas is seeking a $25,000 grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation. Tony Hawk, perhaps the most famous skateboarder in the world, told The Tattoo teen newspaper in 2001 that Bristol should have a skatepark, which helped spur interest in creating it.
Dixon said that he construction to begin after July 1 and take about three months to finish. He said it should be done by October.
Michael Suchapar, a member of the Park Revitalization Committee, said he assumes there will be a requirement that kids wear safety equipment.
But Swicklas said the city plans to treat the skatepark the same as it does other park property.
“If they don’t wear” safety equipment, Swicklas said, “there’s not going to be a penalty for not having them.”
He said there will be signs warning boarders to wear proper safety equipment.
At least initially, Swicklas said, there are no plans to fence in the skatepark in or charge a fee top use it.
He said that skateboarders will likely keep a pretty good eye on each other to make sure that vandalism and damage is kept to a minimum.
“These kids and users are very unique in terms of skateboarding,” Swicklas said. “They police themselves” and have a great passion for it.
“We’re hoping they follow the rules,” he added
Building a skatepark has been on the city’s agenda since 2001 when city leaders promised to put one somewhere after ESPN’s X Trials at Lake Compounce drew attention to the sport.
But the plan ran into a major hurdle when officials could not find a place to build it that didn’t meet with opposition. A plan to put it at Page Park fell through when neighbors rallied to block it.
There has been relatively little opposition to putting it at Rockwell Park.
*******
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
September 21, 2007
Skatepark to be built in the spring
Six years after city officials vowed to build a skatepark, they’re finally ready to put the project out to bid.
“Everybody’s going to be really happy with it,” said Tom Ragaini, a parks commissioner.Ragaini said the “long overdue” skatepark slated for construction at Rockwell Park next spring will offer a range of activities for skateboarding fans.
Pat Nelligan, another parks commissioner, said that officials have reviewed “multiple designs” for the past two years and relied on the advice of a handful of local skateboarders to polish them off.
He said the final design will be a great addition to the park.
Plans call for the new skatepark to be constructed on the site of the existing basketball court as well as a portion of Mrs. Rockwell’s Playground to its west.
A new basketball court will be erected behind the center field fence on the Muzzy Field side of the parking lot, officials said.
The city’s parks consultant, Milone & MacBroom, reviewed seven possible settings for the skate park before settling on the Rockwell Park basketball court site.
Park officials said that the final cost for the skatepark will be less than $400,000. They said the money is already allocated so there shouldn’t be any more hitches.
Building a skatepark has been on the city’s agenda since 2001 when city leaders promised to put one somewhere after ESPN’s X Trials at Lake Compounce drew attention to the sport.
Tony Hawk, one of the world’s most famous skateboarders, urged the city to follow the lead of other communities are build one.
But the plan ran into a major hurdle when officials could not find a place to build it that didn’t meet with opposition. A plan to put it at Page Park fell through when neighbors rallied to block it.
The Rockwell Park site, however, has not stirred much controversy.
Ragaini, who is running for City Council in the 2nd District as an independent, said that park officials sat through many meetings on the issue.
He said one of the consultants “talked the lingo” that skateboarders use.
“We had no idea what he was talking about,” Ragaini added.
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
“Everybody’s going to be really happy with it,” said Tom Ragaini, a parks commissioner.Ragaini said the “long overdue” skatepark slated for construction at Rockwell Park next spring will offer a range of activities for skateboarding fans.
Pat Nelligan, another parks commissioner, said that officials have reviewed “multiple designs” for the past two years and relied on the advice of a handful of local skateboarders to polish them off.
He said the final design will be a great addition to the park.
Plans call for the new skatepark to be constructed on the site of the existing basketball court as well as a portion of Mrs. Rockwell’s Playground to its west.
A new basketball court will be erected behind the center field fence on the Muzzy Field side of the parking lot, officials said.
The city’s parks consultant, Milone & MacBroom, reviewed seven possible settings for the skate park before settling on the Rockwell Park basketball court site.
Park officials said that the final cost for the skatepark will be less than $400,000. They said the money is already allocated so there shouldn’t be any more hitches.
Building a skatepark has been on the city’s agenda since 2001 when city leaders promised to put one somewhere after ESPN’s X Trials at Lake Compounce drew attention to the sport.
Tony Hawk, one of the world’s most famous skateboarders, urged the city to follow the lead of other communities are build one.
But the plan ran into a major hurdle when officials could not find a place to build it that didn’t meet with opposition. A plan to put it at Page Park fell through when neighbors rallied to block it.
The Rockwell Park site, however, has not stirred much controversy.
Ragaini, who is running for City Council in the 2nd District as an independent, said that park officials sat through many meetings on the issue.
He said one of the consultants “talked the lingo” that skateboarders use.
“We had no idea what he was talking about,” Ragaini added.
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
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