Is This the End? (of the waterfront skate park debate).

For more than three years the debate over what to do with the waterfront park has been simmering seemingly futilely, specifically; what will become of the skate park?  On one hand there is a quickly growing culture of skateboarders kick-pushing for redevelopment, and on the other is the bureaucracy that is being dissuaded by money shortages, wealthy waterfront homeowners, and the judicial system.  The skate park on the waterfront offers features that have been painted over more times than once, patched up and rusted over then painted some more.  Some people are aching from the wait and others are straining them out.  Skateboarding in Burlington is becoming more and more popular and the population of skaters is calling for a bigger, better park like they have been waiting on for years. 

            The waterfront skatepark was built in the year two thousand.  Since its construction thirteen years ago, the park has lasted through many harsh Vermont winters suffering through twelve seasons of ice and snow.  The park has had some renovations-new metal sheeting on the ramps due to rust.  The fun-box in the middle of the park has been changed around, and the mini ramp that used to sit on the corner has been removed.  Most likely because the masonite top sheets used for the ramp cannot withstand the elements as metal and eventually the quality deteriorated over time.  The motion to get some sort of ball rolling for a new skate park came in two thousand eight when sixty-five percent majority vote ruled for the need of a new skatepark. 

Peter Owens, the president of the Community and Economic Development Office said that the park is going to cost a couple hundred dollars more than it was originally thought to cost which was between four hundred and nine hundred thousand dollars.  In 2010 multiple grants have been requested.  In December of 2010 the Tony Hawk Foundation donated ten thousand dollars to the project.  There have been a few fundraisers as well.  For instance the Buy a Brick campaign raised five thousand two hundred fifty dollars.  Burlington also started celebrating go skateboarding day, a holiday on June twenty-first encouraging skateboarders of all ages to just get out, skate and have a great time.  Events and fundraisers are held at the existing waterfront skate park and spill out into the concrete hockey rink sitting on the other side of the skate parks fence just off the bike path on the same side. 

            Early on, when the skate park was first being constructed- the current one-there was a lot of debate over the noise that it would produce and the pollution to the silence that the condominium owners down there hold onto so dearly.  When the park was built it included the half pipe, that has been removed, and a sound barrier wall to protect the condo’s noise levels.  John Hazinga of Ridin High has said the sound wall alone cost fifty thousand dollars to put up and has really not been too much of a benefit.  People were also concerned about the park being next to the bike path without a fence.  The argument was that flying skateboards are dangerous to pedestrians.  Hazinga argues that the unfenced hockey rink directly next to the park poses more of a threat.  “what do you think is more dangerous, a flying hockey puck or a runaway skateboard.”  He makes a good point.  Hockey pucks fly faster than skateboards. 

            Many skateboarders have had their hopes lifted up and dropped back down more than once during the three years that this project has been a topic of debate.  A member of the coalition formed to start the creation of a new park Justin Keskin said the he was not surprised the postponement had been stretched.  “I’m used the city making promises and not fulfilling them”.  Another local skater named Tommy Vrielynk says “If they don’t build it, Burlington is going to get lamer.”  These two testimonials were given to Kevin Kelley in lieu of the decision made in august to wait until the spring of 2014 to start developing.  The decision was based on the fact that concrete would be easier to control and work with if it were not the wonter time.

            If the city of Burlington can pull off the development this spring and make the world class skatepark that has been designed and implanted in the skateboard community’s mind, a lot of people would be very happy.  Almost five years after the idea was thrown on the table, after many many months of planning and budgeting, dealing with many legal statutes, it seems that the dream park will finally be erected for a place to enjoy skateboarding for people of all skill levels.  Only time will tell if the city will follow through.