GREENFIELD — With an eye toward construction beginning as early as this summer, the city is seeking the public’s input on the design of the skate park proposed for the parking lot between Chapman and Davis streets.
The public design meeting is scheduled to take place Thursday, April 7, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Recreation Department, located on the second floor of 20 Sanderson St.
“Half-pipe or curb, ledge or mini ramp — this is the opportunity for the community to weigh in on what should be included in our new skate park,” Recreation Director Christy Moore said in a city press release. “There’s a lot of excitement about this project, and we want to make sure it includes the design elements our skaters want. They’ve been waiting a long time for this day to come.”
The $780,000 skate park, which has an estimated completion date of late spring 2023, would replace the former 17,000-square-foot skate park at the back of what is now the Olive Street Apartments. The project — to be constructed in the northern portion of what is now the public parking lot between Chapman and Davis streets — is being funded by $350,000 in capital funds, $30,000 in donations from the community and a $400,000 state Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) grant.
The skate park will be designed by Pillar Design Studios, which has been involved in similar projects in Turners Falls, Springfield and Worcester, according to the city.
“This is something we — the city of Greenfield and certainly the Recreation Department and the kids of Greenfield who skate and their parents — have wanted for a number of years,” commented Mayor Roxann Wedegartner. “I have always supported it, and I’m glad I have now had the opportunity to … see it come to fruition.”
Wedegartner said the community has many people to thank for making the skate park project become reality.
“It’s a real city effort to make sure we have a skate park for those kids who want and will use it, and for kids around the county who will use it as well,” she said. “We hope it’ll be a nice draw — one of many — for downtown Greenfield.”
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne