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Date: 11/30/2022
SPRINGFIELD – Members of the City Council’s Maintenance and Development Subcommittee discussed updates with the ongoing development of a new bike and skate park in Springfield during a Nov. 15 meeting.
Background
The proposed bike and skate park is the byproduct of years of advocacy from community members. Armory Quadrangle Civic Association President Betsy Johnson, RADSpringfield founder Alex Weck and Yolanda Cancel spearheaded the request, citing a need for a recreational space in Springfield where youths could safely enjoy bike and skateboard activities.
The concept quickly drew interest from Springfield’s Parks and Recreation Department. Director of Parks, Recreation & Building Management Patrick Sullivan assisted in finding funding sources for the proposed park, including Community Preservation Act (CPA) monies and a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant. The $80,000 in CPA funds were used to hire Pillar Design Studios via a request for proposals.
Pillar Design Studios President Brad Siedlecki shared that his organization was hired to complete designs and feasibility assessment for an apt location. He envisioned the park as an all-encompassing recreational space that provides a slew of handrails, mini ramps and pathways for activities.
“We’re going to do a nice dual use walking path and wheelie bike path for the kids to able to practice that safely instead of doing it in the street,” said Siedlecki in a March interview with Reminder Publishing.
During a Feb. 10 Parks Commission meeting, the commission voted unanimously to conduct a feasibility study at a Carew Street location that exists adjacent to the city’s Boys and Girls Club.
However, progress on the long running project came to a halt in October. An email from Johnson and Cancel shared that the Boys and Girls Club withdrew their support for the project, which resulted in the project losing its Land and Water Conservation grant due to a changing location. The email also revealed that Parks and Recreation Department will potentially be moving forward with developing the skate and bike park at Gurdon Bill Park at Liberty, Genesse and Warwick streets.
In the aftermath of the news, Cancel reached out to city leadership emphasizing the importance of the project.
“We as a thriving city need an innovative park like this, not only for our residents but will also attract tourism and bring more value to the city … Agawam, Chicopee, and Holyoke all have bike/skate parks. Why doesn’t Springfield have one?” questioned Cancel via email.
Maintenance and Development meeting
Cancel, Johnson, Sullivan and Parks and Recreation Coordinator Laura Walsh discussed updates regarding the project during the Nov. 15 Maintenance and Development meeting.
Walsh explained the current status of the project. She confirmed that the site near the Boys and Girls Club on Carew Street is unavailable, with the Parks and Recreation Department shifting their focus to Gurdon Bill Park.
With the Land and Water Conservation grant becoming available in January, Walsh said the department is applying for another grant with plans to begin construction in the near future.
“We will be applying again for the bike and skate park … should we be successful, the project would start construction most likely in 2024 … it would have to be completed by Dec. 1, 2025,” said Walsh.
Sullivan shared that he, Johnson and Cancel met with the Hungry Hill neighborhood council. The community organization expressed their support for the project to be developed at Gurdon Bill Park.
“They are in full support and favor of this site for the skate park … what we hope to do in January or February [2023], we want to get Pillar to meet with the community and go over this concept plan,” said Sullivan.
Sullivan also shared that the project may not lose its original Land and Water Conservation grant. Congressman Richard Neal will write a letter in collaboration with Sullivan to request that the grant go towards the new location.
“We have our fingers crossed that maybe the powers that be can make a decision to redirect it to this location,” said Sullivan.
The Parks and Recreation Department will continue to refine schematics for the proposed park before submitting for a new Land and Water Conservation grant. Members of the City Council, such as Maintenance and Development Chair Zaida Govan and City Council President Jesse Lederman, also expressed their support for the project.
“It’s going to happen, and I know the kids are going to be really happy about it,” said Govan.