Stamford’s first skate park opened in July 2007 to rave reviews. While some taxpayers are grumbling about the $309,850 spent, one blog declared: “This is my tax dollar at work, and I have to say, this is absolutely awesome.”
Agree with the decision or not, Scalzi Park now has one of the best East Coast skate parks, a 10,000 square-foot facility built by the prestigious Grindline Design Group. At the official opening on July 23, 2007, Mayor Daniel Mallory noted that skateboarding has become “as important and deserving as other forms of recreation.” Further, the Mayor remarked, many skaters are young, and the park demonstrates that “what’s important to them is important us.”
Times have changed; the pioneering skateboarders of the 1970s grew up, and the sport grew along with them. Today, skateboarding requires concentration, dedication, and some acrobat skill. Learning a single maneuver can take hours. Visiting skate-pro Jim Murphy of Wounded Knee Skateboard noted that skateboarding is an absorbing “healthy physical activity that lends itself to a clean lifestyle.”
In the past, some skateboarders and rollerbladers skated out of town or built their own mini-facilities. But many had only a driveway (boring) or the city’s sidewalks, stairways and roads (risky for the skaters and affected property owners). A decade ago, young skaters were writing the City asking for a park; by 2004, they were showing up at public meetings. An astonishing 40 skaters, plus their friends and relatives, actively worked on the Scalzi plan. The park was designed for all levels and is free, so today any kid who can buy or borrow a board and safety gear has the opportunity to reach his or her potential.
What was the City thinking? According to Stamford’s Senior Planner Erin McKenna, they started by asking the skaters what was wanted. Square footage was determined by the suitable space available at Scalzi, and the cost by competitive bidding. Interestingly, the winning bidder came in ahead of schedule and on budget and threw in extra features at no additional cost, even after cutting its initial bid.
Going for the best, experts say, reduces injury, liability and maintenance costs. It also attracts skating pros, making the park a kid magnet and a fascinating free show for all. The neighbors, by the way, may be glad to know that the out-of-town skaters appear to be coming alone or in small groups. In the early weeks, the skate park has been well attended but not overcrowded.
The experienced skaters treat the kids as peers, giving them equal turns, discussing techniques and applauding when one masters a challenging maneuver, especially after numerous tries.
For now the park doesn’t have a full-time attendant, so it is up to the skaters to police themselves. Perhaps because of substantial adult presence, reports are that the skaters are well behaved. The only anticipated source of friction is the bike ban. The park was not designed for bikes—they can damage the facility and put the riders and bystanders at risk.
