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Date: 7/13/2023
AGAWAM — The Agawam Skate Park is now open after receiving its first major makeover this winter and spring. Renovations made the park more spacious and more challenging for skateboarders.
All ramps were removed and the old asphalt surface was replaced with one that will give skaters a better ride. The new surface was then painted and sealed, six new ramps were installed and existing ramps were refurbished, then reinstalled.
These are the first renovations to the park since it opened more than 20 years ago, and the upgrades are a hit with skateboarders.
Skateboarder Jake Boucher was trying out some of the new obstacles and ramps — including the large pyramid ramp built in the center — just days before a special July 1 grand opening “skate jam” was put on by Theory Skate and Snow.
“It’s a lot more open and inviting — and that’s exciting because it will attract more skaters,” said the Agawam resident.
“All the ramps are in much better condition and there are several new obstacles,” said Boucher. A skateboarder for 12 years, he usually visits the skate park two or three times a week. “I especially like the new pyramid ramp — it makes skating here more challenging and improves the skills of skaters. Skating is all about taking risks and this skate park now gives skaters that opportunity.”
His friend and fellow skater Cabull Pickton of Chicopee, a skateboarder for eight years, said the biggest improvement is the new asphalt surface.
“The old asphalt was cracked and skate wheels often got caught in the openings. Now, it’s nice and smooth — and safer,” he said.
Although Pickton lives just three minutes from a skate park in Holyoke, he would rather drive to Agawam because conditions at the park are better. He said it’s also a more welcoming atmosphere for skaters.
Pickton, who comes to the park about four times a week, is also happy with changes to the ramps: “The new ramps are much better — you get more speed off of them. The old ones were a little mellow. The center pyramid ramp is excellent, too — you can get to it from every angle.”
Dan Dziuban of Westfield, co-owner of Theory Skate and Snow stores in Holyoke and Northampton, said the skate park has been one of the most prominent parks in the area since it opened in 2002.
“The improvements definitely make the park 100% more enjoyable and there’s plenty of room for everyone now,” he said.
Another skateboarder, Melvin Cosme, agreed with Dziuban. He said the park, already popular, will attract even more skaters to Agawam to hang out and have fun.
“I like the bigger ramps and obstacles,” said the Springfield resident.
Cosme has been skating for about five years and is at the park at least twice a week.
“I’m glad to see they added more and bigger obstacles, as well as some ramps for kids who are just learning to skate,” he said.
Dziuban said the park was “essentially tailored” to what all local skateboarders and riders requested.
“The obstacles were specifically designed for what we all enjoy at the skate park. Renovations definitely addressed all safety issues for skaters, though they were mostly minor fixes,” he said.
In January, the City Council voted unanimously to approve $130,700 from the Community Preservation Fund to pay for renovations. However, Parks and Recreation Director Chris Sparks said the actual costs were nearly $40,000 above the anticipated budget.
“Luckily, the [Community] Preservation Committee and the City Council recognized the need for this project and approved additional funding,” he said.
Sparks said most of the construction at the park is finished, with a few minor additions still needed. Two new metal picnic tables are scheduled to be delivered and installed at the end of the month.
The parks director said construction was completed on schedule.
“We didn’t have an exact finish date set, but I did want the project completed — and the park usable — before Agawam schools released students for the summer,” Sparks said. The first skaters were allowed on the park on June 15.
“Our park is designed and built by skaters,” said Sparks. “Our contractor, Adam Clarke of A. Clarke Construction, grew up skating, building ramps, and is now a licensed contractor out of Westfield. Adam worked closely with the owners of Theory Skate and got input from local skaters to carefully choose and design the ramps.”
Sparks and Dziuban said it was worth the effort and expense to rebuild the skate park.
“We’ve received nothing but positive feedback from people riding bikes, skateboards and scooters,” said Sparks. “Everything being said about the renovations has been completely positive,” Dziuban said. “The park is completely brand-new now and packed around the clock.”
The skate park on Armory Drive is open daily from dawn to dusk. It’s located next to Shea Field and across from the Agawam Dog Park, behind Robinson Park School.