If you are a skateboarder, BMX biker, or an in-line skater
visiting Boston or living within The Greater Boston Area, then this
news is something that has indeed been a long time coming. Since
2001 there have been plans to construct a 40,000 square foot
skatepark to go beneath the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial
Bridge along the Charles River. Unfortunately, the economic
struggles from 2008 caused an immediate halt in the idea for such a
state of the art facility. However, the plans are back on and
people of all ages can now look forward to a massive arena to be
open to the public perhaps by as soon as December of 2013.
The Charles River Conservancy, a non-profit advocacy group, has
noted that the project will take roughly nine months to complete.
Although the state of Massachusetts previously turned to Big Dig
mitigation funds as well as federal stimulus grants to fund this
initiative, it has come back to the conclusion that the Conservancy
will come up with the funding to privately build the skatepark.
From 2004 until 2008, $2.5 million was raised by the Conservancy
and now movements to get this project going are finally coming to
fruition. Once completed, the skatepark will be a safe and
welcoming place for individuals to be and practice their skills
with one another. The parks incredibly efficient and easy
accessibility from Charlestown, Bostons Downtown and Cambridge will
be improved by pedestrian bridges, including the soon to be North
Bank Bridge connecting Revere Park in Charlestown with North Point
Park, that will open in June of 2012.
The Department of Conservation and Recreation will be the ones
concerned with the maintenance of the property that will also
partially be funded by special events at the site. Overall, this is
wonderfully positive news for Bostons youth and all people who have
a passion for these sporting activities!