Created in 2001 by a group of local teens that raised the money needed for the city to create an outdoor skating park for everyone to use, Biddeford Skate Park at Rotary Park is enjoying a renaissance of sorts as an inexpensive and thrilled-packed source of recreation.
Through the years, several improvements have been made to the skatepark, including in 2012, when a new curved concrete ramp was installed for skaters. And recently, a deteriorating halfpipe ramp was torn out and a new one was created there in 2016.
According to Biddeford Recreation and Teen Director Carl Walsh, the city of Biddeford authorized $2,000 in the annual budget to make badly needed upgrades at the facility.
Skatepark work is being accomplished in several phases with some upgrades done last summer and even more this year as the project wraps up.
Walsh said many skaters using the facility have have stepped up and are doing a lot of the upgrade work on a strictly volunteer basis.
“It’s really a labor of love for those participating in the effort,” he said.
Volunteers have added a small quarterpipe ramp and will be creating additional pieces for use throughout the facility.
“We hope to have it all done this year,” Walsh said.
Biddeford also operates a smaller skatepark at Clifford Park and Walsh said he hopes that facility will be upgraded soon as well.
Skaters can be found at the Biddeford Skate Park all year long, including during the winter.
“It’s really a popular place for those of all ages who love to skateboard,” Walsh said.
The park currently contains an 8-foot Halfpipe, a 5-foot Halfpipe, 5-foot Quarterpipes, a half-pyramid and plenty of boxes, ramps and rails to jump and cruise over.
It’s entirely free to skate there, and helmets and pads are recommended.
“The bottom line is this city has made a commitment to fund creative recreational programs and the skatepark upgrade is an example of that,” Walsh said.
— Executive Editor Ed Pierce can be reached at 282-1535 ext. 326 or by email at editor@journaltribune.com.
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