Skate Park Finds Recreation Department’s Support

By Kendra Bobowick

A skateboarding park has secured a spot in the recreation department’s budget among its capital line items.

“We’ll see if it flies,” said Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman Edward Marks. During a November meeting commission members had agreed to budget $25,000 in matching funds to residents striving to raise the same amount.

With relief in his stride, My Place Restaurant owner Mark Tambascio walked away from that meeting with the commission’s support — a significant difference from several previously stalled attempts in past years. “This is the first time it is supported by the town,” he said. “If they can do it, that would really help. If we raise $25,000 and they put in $25,000, I think we can do it.” Mr Tambascio sees another benefit to the town’s involvement. “Interest levels will go up if people see the town’s support,” he said.

Already he has a skateboard campaign underway and has involved smaller businesses. A paper skateboard cutout holds a place for a sponsor’s name for anyone who makes a donation to the park he hopes to see at Fairfield Hills.

“You can donate anything, even just a little bit, to show you care about the teenagers in town,” he said. “Considering our teen center as one outlet for the young men and women, little else is in place for them. We need to get more serious,” he stressed.

Bigger business still awaits his knock at the door.

“Corporate sponsors, that would be awesome,” he said. “But we haven’t gone to the big corporations yet.” The fundraising is “so far, so good,” he said, “but slow.” Aside from the paper skates, and plans to approach larger potential contributors, Mr Tambascio said a demonstration and fundraiser is planned for the spring

During last month’s meeting as he spoke with Mr Marks and other commission members, Mr Tambascio had considered whether or not $50,000 could build a sufficient park at a Fairfield Hills location. “I think we can have something decent. I think we can get it done for $50,000.”

Assistant Director of Parks Carl Samuelson wanted to know how well skating equipment would weather, asking, “Can it stay out in the winter?” Mr Tambascio said simply, “Yes.”

Recreation commissioners also were concerned about a park’s potential success. Beginning with the problems that may have undermined other skate parks in the region, Mr Tambascio said, “A lot don’t work because they aren’t manned and that will kill a park — vandalism, etc.” He said, “Elsewhere they expected the parents and kids to close every day, but there was vandalism.” The proposed Newtown park would be staffed through the recreation department, however. Like other town facilities, insurance would cover the facility.

Recreation Director Barbara Kasbarian said, “We’re looking at a paid staff person, more likely seasonal and part time,” she said. One insurance requirement was that the park be staffed, she said.

Past volunteer efforts to successfully raise money had failed, but Mr Marks and current campaigners are hopeful. “I think if they see it in our budget it will help them,” Mr Marks said. Although the commission agrees on setting aside park funding, the recreation budget must still go through various town approvals. “We’ll have to see what the Board of Selectman thinks.”