Skatepark update
As you may know, the wooden mini ramp was built last spring, and stayed in a temporary home in the back of the parking lot at the fire house until the fall. In order to make room in the parking lot for plowing, it was disassembled and stored in a barn for the winter. This ramp was intended as a short-term and affordable demonstration project to build interest and excitement towards the construction of a permanent skatepark here in Hardwick.
This ramp was built and designed with donated labor from Micheal Parker (a professional skate park builder) and Rob Montgomery (a local carpenter) as well as a team of teenagers and volunteers. The materials were partially donated, sold at discount, and purchased with funds raised through the sale of “Hardwick Skatepark Collective” hoodies, as well as a few small grants. The ramp opened officially last spring with a barbecue celebration attended by about 80 people. The ramp was used by countless community members of all ages, hosted classes for young and curious skateboarders, and was visited by people from around the region-- people who came to Hardwick for the sole reason that our town had a ramp!
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Our goal for this spring was to bring it out of storage, and set it up in a permanent spot. This has, however, proved more difficult than we would have anticipated. All along, insurance for the ramp has been a major factor. Currently, this issue is preventing the ramp from coming out of storage and being used. At the firehouse, the town was able to insure it. Hazen Union offered a spot at the edge of school property close to Northern County Dental, and this spot is workable, but the school’s insurance has said no to coverage. From what we understand, the reason for the rejection is that the school has no educational or athletic program that would include use of the ramp. Our attempts to demonstrate that the very existence of the ramp could easily create those opportunities have not moved the conversation forward.
The town’s insurance, which covered the ramp at the firehouse, requires that the ramp be on town property. With the help of our town manager, chief of police, and zoning administrator, we are continuing to explore potential town-owned properties. The issue is that it would be a temporarily permitted site, which means we will construct it (as soon as a spot is secured), and then in a few short months, take it all apart again. Our volunteers have been generous, but we will need more help to pull this off!
This ramp is a simple and effective tool for community building and specifically youth engagement. It creates a place for healthy and safe outdoor gathering, it brings visitors to the town. Reach out if you have time and interest to help us pull off this project again this summer!
Thanks for your support,
The Civic
