Skateboard park talks end in a positive resolution
Published on August 12th, 1998
STONEHAM, MA - It appears as if the never ending dispute over the construction of a skateboard park has reached a resolution and, according to Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting, youths can expect the park to be in working order sometime in the fall.
Nutting told the Board of Selectmen Tuesday night that a meeting took place between himself, town youths and members of the Youth Commission with Zero Gravity, a firm which specializes in constructing skateboard parks.
Zero Gravity will be forwarding an estimate to the town on the cost of the park which was designed by the youths.
Nutting explained that he believed the park would contain approximately six fixtures at a cost of a town-appropriated $15,000. More fixtures could be added to the site, located at Pomeworth Park, later, he said, if youths follow through on their desire to initiate fundraising efforts.
The $15,000 in skateboard park funding was approved at the 1997 Town Meeting and, since that time, the Youth Commission had attempted to work in conjunction with the Skateboard and Rollerblade Committee in coming up with a design and getting the park constructed. Disputes over a contractor and the dissolution of the Skateboard and Rollerblade Committee, however, stalled these efforts for months.
These disputes reached a crescendo at a Board of Selectmen meeting in late March where the agenda of one member of the Youth Commission was brought into question and where the work of a firm which had constructed most of the local skateboard parks, Scituate Concrete, was scrutinized.
"The only thing (these disputes) really came down to was design," Nutting explained. "To conclude, everyone walked away with the belief and the idea that this could move forward very quickly."
Nutting said that about 10 youths appeared at the joint meeting with Zero Gravity, a firm which also constructed a successful park in North Andover, and came away with a positive feeling.
Zero Gravity will use pressure treated wood to build the fixtures and, after youths learn about the expense of each fixture, Nutting said they will be allowed to choose which they would prefer in order to remain within the allotted $15,000. The construction of the park would take less than 30 days, he said.
"They're very excited to get it up and running," he told the board. "It might only be open for a couple of months this year, but at least it will be in."
Board members asked Nutting to forward the designs to them after their completion for final review and will also discuss the hours of operation of the park at a future meeting. Nutting will bring the board up to date at its meeting on Tuesday.
"What's this been going on for? Two years?" Chairman Albert Conti asked. "At this point, I think the board would like to see what the product is and get started. I think this is a very good outcome."
Frank Scarpa, representing the youths at the meeting, told the board, "(The process has) been very long and it's been tough, but I think I'm ready to say that it's been a total success."
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