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!
