PORTSMOUTH—The City of Portsmouth NH broke ground today on the long-awaited Skateboard Park, a project Mayor McEachern described as an amazing example of one generation looking forward to the next and their enjoyment of the park.

Former Mayor Becksted and former Councilors Esther Kennedy and Petra Huda joined current Councilors Rich Blalock, Andrew Bagley, Kate Cook, Beth Moreau, John Tabor and Assistant Mayor Joanna Kelley plus Skateboard Committee members Dave Cosgrove and Amy-Mae Court, Quirk Construction and Pillar Design. City Manager Karen Conard, DPW Director Peter Rice, Project Manager Christine Sproviero, Recreation Department Director Todd Henley and a crowd of 40 others.
 

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The Skateboard Park planned for the site off Greenland Road (Route 33) is part of a phased build out of the "Stump Dump" lot in the Master Plan. This would also be the main access point to the NH Seacoast Greenway Route (Rail Trail). Additional phases to include walking paths, playground, additional parking, lighting and field upgrades.

Funding for the Skateboard Park was included in the FY22- Capital Improvement Plan (page 76) for the FY24 budget. The proposed FY24-29 CIP (pg. 90) notes that FY24 Funding was completed in FY23 through a movement in the funding during the budget process. FY23 PPP reflects fundraising completed as of the end of FY22. FY28 and FY29 funding reflects the design and construction Phase II of the project.

At their April 17, 2023 the City Council voted to adopt a Resolution Authorizing a Bond Issue and/or Notes of up to One Million Eighty-Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,083,500.00) for Additional Costs for Constructing the Greenland Road Recreation Facility (Skateboard Park)

For more on the project go to  https://www.cityofportsmouth.com/recreation/skateboard-park.
 

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