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Date: 7/26/2021
WEST SPRINGFIELD – Cooks Skate Park, located at 471-505 Amostown Rd., has made big advances in its current renovation project.
Victoria Connor, director of West Springfield’s Park and Recreation Department, said back in 1995, a group of teens in the area approached the community about getting a skate park. The community agreed and in return - built a skate park entirely made of wood and steel.
“Around 2006, the Balise Motor Group donated $60,000 to town and labor for new equipment,” said Connor. Since then, the skate park has been made of skatelite – a paper-composite designed to withstand skateboards and bikes.
“It’s had a lot of wear and tear,” stated Connor.
Before his term ended in 2020, state Sen. Jim Welch wanted to see the skate park be upgraded. Through the State Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Group, the town found funding through a state earmark of $20,000. Connor said Mayor William Reichelt wanted to address the skate park’s deterioration as well.
Through group effort and commitment, the skate park is now being entirely replaced and rebuilt.
“It was unsafe before,” said Connor.
She explained that the town signed contracts to begin construction in early June. Depending on the unpredictable weather, Connor said they are hoping for a grand opening in the beginning of September.
Berkshire Design Group in Northampton created the entire design of the skate park. Rampage Skate Shop and Skatepark located in Bridgeport, CT, is responsible for all of the construction on site.
As of press time, Rampage has conducted some concrete pours and has completed two ramps.
“The town, the mayor and myself are looking forward to announcing the grand opening,” said Connor. “We will have a nice presentation for opening to the public.”