At the same time as residents are being urged to accept a potential change to Pope Park or Colt Park that nobody seems to want — a Cal Ripken Sr.Foundation Youth Development Park (with artificial turf) — the finishing touches are finally being happening on a different kind of park that has had enough buy-in to warrant the creation of the Hartford Skateboard Task Force.
When something sits unused long enough, people find other uses for it. In this case, the underutilized New Ross, County Wexford Park was unofficially reestablished — at least by those who regularly visited it — as Heaven, a space for skateboarding, parkour, and art.
Temporary ramps have appeared in this spot located on top of I-84, but something more permanent was desired.
Tonight, Mike McIntyre and Kanten Russell from Stantec/Who Skates? — the designer and builder selected for this project — will present the final design for the skatepark at Heaven. The aerial plan (right) shows features like grind ledges and rails. A rain garden is also included in the plans.
For those who have trouble conceptualizing information when it is simply posed in the form of plans, this will be an opportunity to ask questions and get more information about what improvements are in the works.
Because of the park’s location — over a highway — the Department of Transportation will have to review plans. Interested parties can find out tonight how they can advocate for this project so that it is not stalled by the DOT.
The presentation will be held in the Center for Contemporary Culture at the Hartford Public Library tonight, April 23, from 5:30-7:30.
Luis Cotto
I just heard of the artificial turf at Pope plan last week. People need to realize that surface temperatures on those fields get extremely hot. So if people envision 8 kids playing pickup soccer / football on that field, unsupervised (read, an adult there to make sure they hydrate), please know that the possibility for heat exhaustion is tremendous.
Kerri Provost
Thanks for the info!
My thoughts on that whole thing went like this: “Wait, what?! Astroturf?! If we’re going to be applying for grants and what have you, how about ones to just keep the park clean and maintained? How about some kind of policing to keep the fourwheelers off the fields? Astroturf is the priority?”
Brendan
Ken Kennedy has been advocating for turf fields since time immemorial.
Luis Cotto
Ken is a huge soccer guy. I think he’s still coaching. Our eventual compromise on the use of Astro Turf was at Dillon Stadium due to the security and (relative) lack of open access to anyone.
Brendan
I remember the big opposition came from CCEJ because of the carcinogens in the materials.
Luis Cotto
Don’t forget that one of the PROs of an Astro Turf is no need to mow. It does become a maintenance discussion. My concern was always on the health angle.
Luis Cotto
Oh…and regarding Heaven…woot!!!
Jennifer
Great news about Heaven! But I also want to comment about the AstroTurf. I agree that it’s a bad idea. It really tears up your skin if you slide or fall wrong. So, if this is geared towards kids, the injury possibilities along with the heat exhaustion that Luis mentioned makes AstroTurf sound like a bad idea.
brendan
I played lacrosse once on turf in high school. I don’t recall any increased risk of abrasion.