Plans are underway for the city to demolish the existing Westfield skatepark and replace it with a new one.
Reminder Publishing file photo
WESTFIELD — “We’re getting close,” said Community Development Director Peter Miller about plans for a new skate park, following the announcement by the state of Westfield’s inclusion in Land & Water Conservation grant awards.
On Oct. 2, The Healey-Driscoll administration announced nearly $6.4 million in grants to renovate public parks and expand access to outdoor recreation.
These grants will leverage an additional $10.5 million in matching funds provided by cities and towns for a total investment of $17M in recreation projects across Massachusetts. The grants come from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant Program, managed by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
A total of eight projects across Massachusetts were awarded funding, including $800,000 for the Westfield Skate Park and $264,500 for the Nonotuck Spray Park in Easthampton.
“I am beyond thrilled that Easthampton and Westfield have been awarded Land and Water Conservation Fund Grants to bring their visions to life through transformative, inclusive projects,” said state Sen. John Velis after the announcement. “From revitalizing Nonotuck Spray Park to expanding Westfield’s Skate Park, I can’t wait to see people of all abilities enjoying these renewed and accessible recreational spaces.”
The description of the skate park in the award announcement said the project will include the expansion of the park’s footprint creating a skatepark designed to accommodate skaters with neurodivergent qualities and with the wheelchair sports community in mind, and will be resilient to climate change due to materials used and the installation of an improved drainage system.
Miller said now that the Land & Water Conservation Grant has been approved by both the state and the federal government, the city can go forward with the skate park. “Now we’re plugging away, and have to put local approvals on it,” he said.
Miller said among the remaining tasks are to subdivide the parcel off of the larger school parcel and put it into protective park status per Massachusetts General Law, and to request approval for the final $275,000 from municipal capital funds by the City Council. The Council already approved the $500,000 unanimously recommended by the Community Preservation Commission for the project, as well as an earlier CPC grant of $25,000 for the design for a new park.
“Once we have the financing in place, we’ll put it out for bid. I’m certainly pleased that we’re moving ahead with it. This is one that’s been long in the process. $800,000 in federal funds to do the project is a huge boost for us,” Miller said.
Miller also credited local skatepark advocate Jeff Burke, who grew up in Westfield, for his vocal support of the project since he first brought it to the city in 2019.
“It’s a big deal for us, because it’s the majority of the funding that we need to build the park,” Burke said after hearing the news about the confirmation of the grant. He said once the last pieces are sorted, it should be good to put out to bid in 2026. He said from start to finish, skate parks generally take two-and-a-half to three months to build.
“It certainly will help us to clean up the back area. It’s a 20-year-old skate park, which is the anticipated life for those. It’s just time,” Miller said.
