Skate Park

Construction Begins

By Kendra Bobowick

Heavy machinery and sections of formed concrete are reshaping Dickinson Park’s lot into the long-awaited skate park.

“We’re so excited!” said Parks and Recreation Director Amy Mangold. “It’s hard to believe it’s actually happening. You can begin to see the layout now.”

Sections of poured concrete from American Ramp Company (ARC), based in Missouri, are off the truck as crews maneuver them into place — with several changes. The half bowl will now be a full bowl, with an additional ramp feature at one end of the park. Ms Mangold has generous donors to thank for the additional funds needed to complete the changes.

“I think people saw it was really happening,” she said. Garnering funds, support, and a place to establish the park are hurdles put in the past. “It was a long, tough road, but well worth it.”

Lori Capozziello, formerly involved directly with Donate to Skate fundraising to support the new park, wrote in a recent e-mail, “This is a really exciting time, the skaters are in awe.” She said, “Now that it’s for real, I really can’t believe it. It’s such an incredible feeling.”

Ms Mangold has seen skaters watching and waiting. “They stand there, holding their boards, chomping at the bit.” She looks at them and thinks: “It’s almost here!” The skaters are eager, and have been talking with the crews assembling the park, she said.

Town crews provided much of the prep work onsite prior to ARC’s arrival and construction work.

Although Ms Mangold had hoped for a Halloween finish date, recent days of rain have pushed completion back to November.

Funds for the overall $98,000 project come from a combination of sources — $25,000 from budget funds, with the remainder in donations and fundraising efforts.

The ARC and recently acquired Hardcore Shotcrete Inc crew onsite said the park is of medium size, and features a full bowl. Pieces of concrete ramps, stairs, and rails sat askew as other pieces were under construction. Reading through blueprints, Don Wimer looked at an overview of a finished oval course for skaters and BMX riders.

Standing inside the bowl’s frame — the park’s main feature — and applying cement was Shawn Zaccarello, while Austin Hayes transferred equipment to the truck for the night on Tuesday, October 12.

The park will be a Parks & Recreation Department facility.

Safety Rules & Regulations include: use of this park is at your own risk. All users assume all risk of injury. The Town of Newtown and its agents are not responsible for injuries of any type. When you enter this facility you assume all risks and responsibilities which could result in serious physical injury.

Park hours are 8 am until 30 minutes after sunset.

Skating is not permitted when surface is wet and/or frozen.

Skate park is for skateboarding, rollerblading and biking only. All other uses prohibited.

Spectators are not allowed in skate park area and should watch from the perimeter of skate park area for safety.

Proper use of safety equipment (helmets, knee pads, elbow pads) is strongly recommended. In accordance with state helmet laws, it is again strongly recommended that all skaters wear a helmet while riding in the park.

Tagging or graffiti is strictly prohibited. Violators will be prosecuted.

Drugs, alcohol, tobacco products and glass containers are strictly prohibited. Violators will be prosecuted.

No unauthorized pieces of equipment, obstacles or apparatus may be brought into the skate area.

Anyone under the age of 10 must be supervised by an adult. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 10 not use skateboards without close adult supervision and that children younger than 5 not use them at all.

Shirts are required at all times.

Honor the carry-in, carry-out policy by leaving the park cleaner than you found it.

No pets are allowed in Dickinson Park or the skate area.

Fighting, profanity, loud music or rude, disruptive behavior will result in ejection from the park.

Last but not least, have fun.