Matt Taylor sees that Cambridge’s skate parks are busier than ever.
“More skaters are coming around these days,” the 14-year-old says.
It’s not just skaters – it’s also BMXers and others looking for some thrills – but it is undeniable.
Riverside Park in the Preston area is home to the city’s only outdoor skate park.
Heather Melo, the city’s youth recreation co-ordinator, says it’s hopping with athletes from every part of the city.
“We’re getting phone calls on a regular basis (from) individuals who want to ride the park, but they’re frustrated because they can’t. It’s just too busy,” she says.
Given that situation, councillors’ decision to approve a new outdoor skate park for the Churchill Park area – where it will replace a smaller indoor facility – might seem like a no-brainer.
Taylor’s happy with it.
“It’s nice to have an outdoor one – you can get easier access to it,” he says.
But not everyone is as enthused, with some saying they’d rather have a smaller site that’s open year-round than a larger, outdoor one that has to be closed during the winter months.
Coun. Pam Wolf doesn’t buy those concerns.
She points to the fact that the existing indoor facility would need upgrades anyhow – at nearly the same cost as building a brand new park at Churchill Park.
“Our equipment is very dated, and the space is very small,” she says.
Wolf says she realizes that skaters want to have a year-round presence in the city, and something may eventually come down the pipeline for those concerns.
“We’re definitely not giving up on an indoor facility,” she says.
The new skate park at Churchill Park still needs approval from Cambridge council, which is expected next week.
Once it’s built – which city officials hope will happen by next summer – the current indoor park will be repurposed for use by other community groups.
