Newtown’s Skate Park Officially Open

By Eliza Hallabeck

When First Selectman Pat Llodra, Parks and Recreation Director Amy Mangold, and Doris Dickinson, wife of the late first selectman Fenn Dickinson for whom Dickinson Memorial Park is named, cut a red ribbon on Saturday, December 11, it marked, Mrs Llodra observed, an event eight years in the making.

“I want to thank everyone who made this possible,” said Ms Mangold during the opening ceremony. “I am just so happy that we have this wonderful asset for our town. And I just want to say, we did it! So thank you.”

Mrs Llodra also noted during the opening ceremony that a search of The Newtown Bee’s articles shows roughly 80 articles from the past eight years that “show committed parents, enthusiastic kids and generous leaders. The first mention dates back to 2002.”

At that time, Ken Gottschalck, a parent of a skateboard enthusiast, drew the community’s attention to a growing number of Newtown skateboarders.

“He is likely the founding father of this skate park initiative,” said Mrs Llodra. “He had the foresight and open-mindedness to see the potential and know the importance of addressing that need. His goal, in his own words, was to plant the seed and let the community decide. Well, here we are in 2010 and the community decided.”

Great leadership, both from parents and from the Parks and Recreation department, said Mrs Llodra, helped the project.

“The payoff for all of us in this long eight-year effort is right now,” Mrs Llodra continued. “Witness this park and the joyful fun of our skateboarders. How lucky we are in our community to have those parents, leaders, and kids, who worked together for a common good.”

Lori Capozziello, former chair of Donate to Skate, a fundraising group for the skate park cause, also spoke during the event.

“Thanks to the American Ramp Company’s expertise, we have this awesome skate park,” said Ms Capozziello. “We are all really proud of it. It’s brought great joy as well as relief to all of us.”

The gathered volunteers, officials, and families who have supported the park over the years heard as Ms Capozziello recounted what it took to create and build the park at Dickinson Park.

“Many people have been instrumental in helping in different ways,” Ms Capozziello said, “giving their time, skills, and ideas as well as generous donations to the cause.”

The poured concrete park has been in use since its completion in late November.

“When I visit the park,” Ms Capozziello continued, “it will always be a symbol of what a united community can do. Then come the tears of joy, amazement, and gratitude. Thank you and congratulations Newtown.”

The Donate to Skate website, donatetoskate.com, is still up and being maintained. Ms Capozziello asked everyone in attendance to continue checking the website.

New Hope Community Church Pastor Jim Solomon also spoke during the ceremony before blessing the park and all who made it possible for the park to exist.

Video from the event is available at www.newtownbee.com.