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INTRODUCED BY:	COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL
Luis E. Cotto, Councilperson	City of Hartford, October 13, 2009

 

WHEREAS,     The urban terrain of downtown Hartford is regarded by skateboarders as some of the best in the United States; and

 

WHEREAS, The City of Hartford has been internationally recognized in newspaper and magazine articles, and numerous skateboarding videos; and

WHEREAS,     At times, the skateboarding community finds itself at odds with property owners and security companies due the sport’s impact on ledges, stairs, and railings, in addition to the negative and rebellious perception of the sport; and

WHEREAS,     Over the years, New Ross, County Wexford Park, atop Interstate 84, has been dubbed, “Heaven” by local skateboarders due to its uniquely skateboard-friendly concrete landscape. However, much of the park has fallen into disrepair; and

WHEREAS,     The construction of a skate park at New Ross, County Wexford Park would assuage tense relationships between skateboarders and downtown property owners, provide a non-traditional after school option for the City’s youth, and creates fringe economic development benefits for the downtown businesses; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED,   That the Court of Common Council hereby establishes a Skateboarding Task Force comprised of various interested stakeholders to address the feasibility, design, and overall vision of the construction of a skate park at New Ross, County Wexford Park or another area in the City.

Since this resolution passed at the end of 2009, the Task Force has issued recommendations that the Council accepted, leading the way to an eventual skatepark at New Ross, County Wexford Park.  These recommendations are:

• Utilize the central block of New Ross, County Wexford Park (“Heaven”) for the skate park.
• The park should incorporate urban arts disciplines, so we recommend the erection of a stage/performance area as well as an urban-art wall.
• Keep the park open to skateboards, BMX and in-line skating.
• Create a poured-concrete bowl-style park, not modular equipment.
• Do not charge admission.
• Use best practices to mitigate potential liabilities: keep the park adequately maintained at all times and suggest, but do not mandate protective equipment.

This park is almost a reality. Shoot us an email at fohskatepark@gmail.com to find out how you can get involved.