BENNINGTON — It took a community to realize Bennington’s new skatepark, and and the community was well-represented Friday evening for the official ribbon-cutting and the party that followed.
“It took a lot of dedication to make this dream a reality, and we are standing here today because of that effort,” Better Bennington Corporation Executive Director Jeanne Mintrone said before the ribbon was snipped at the park off Depot Street.
Mintrone lauded town Community Development Director Shannon Barsotti and other town staff members and public works employees who worked on the project – as well as the Select Board members and the other officials who supported it, and the volunteer enthusiasts who advocated for a park in Bennington and brought the initial concept to the town.
Barsotti praised the volunteer Bennington Skate Park Committee, which approached the Select Board with a concept plan for the skatepark, worked with the developer, GRINDLINE Skateparks, to help design the facility, and also led a crowd-funding campaign to help fund the park.
Committee member Sofie Pedemonti thanked everyone who supported the effort, saying, “We couldn’t have done it without an amazing community. I’m so excited that the skatepark is open today until forever!”
She and her father, Nick Pedemonti, who previously owned the first skatepark in Bennington on Benmont Avenue, were among the early advocates for a larger park here, which they believe will become a local and regional attraction.
The 16,000-square-foot concrete park is one of the three largest parks in Vermont, similar in size to one in Manchester and comparable to a 20,000-square-foot park in Burlington.
It is open for use by skateboarders, in-line skaters, and scooter and small bicycle riders.
Skateboard enthusiast Riley Flynn said on Friday, “This is great for the community. I have been here the past four nights and the kids have just been here in droves.”
Justine Curry, a member of the volunteer Skatepark Committee, said, “This has exceeded all expectations of the community committee. When I drove by on Monday and they had taken the fence down, I actually shed some tears, because the park was of full of kids.”
Curry added, “I can just see this continuing into the future, with more events, more shows, you know, food trucks and stuff like that, and it is just nice to have something for the kids to do in town. I’m really happy.”
“I’m sorry if I forgot anyone,” she said, “but this was a truly communitywide effort, and we couldn’t have done it without them.”
More information on those who contributed to the effort can be found on the town website.
Instant popularity
Barsotti noted that the park had been swarming with teens and others on skateboards, scooters, bikes and skates, almost since the construction fences were taken down on Monday, September 15.
She urged youth to help keep the park safe and attractive and welcoming to all.
“We want this to be a place you can enjoy for years to come, and we are off to a great start.” Barsotti said.
At any given hour over the past week, two to three dozen people could be seen on or around the park surface.
The elongated park, which is located at the edge of the municipal parking lot off Depot Street and alongside the Walloomsac River Walkway, has varied concave surfaces and a separate bowl-shaped area at one end.
The design was described as “a classic concrete ‘snake run,’” involving multiple bowl shapes.
‘Community effort’
Select Board Chair Tom Haley said during the gathering Friday, “This is an incredible example of what can happen when government and the public work together with a shared vision and shared resources to get a huge project done with huge benefits to the community. It should be an example for people yet to come.”
Board member Clark Adams added, “It’s good for the people, good for the town. Nothing but positive things here. We should just keep going with more positive events for the town.”
Stephanie Mulligan, chair of the Mount Anthony Union School District board, who works nearby as director of operations with MSK Engineers on Depot Street, said, “I think this is going to be a great community asset, and I am excited to participate in the process.”
Former Select Board member Jim Carroll remembered that the town “did a survey when we got our ARPA [American Rescue Plan Act grant] funds and this was the number one choice. To finally see it come to fruition with kids, and adults as well, using it – I mean it’s wonderful, and it is going to be a great asset to the town.”
Funding sources
Funding was secured through a combination of sources, including the town’s federal ARPA pandemic relief grant; the town’s Penny for Parks fund; a Downtown Transportation Fund grant and a Better Places grant from the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development and the Vermont Community Foundation.
The project also received a Recreational Facilities Grant from the Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services, and contributions were received from many local institutions, organizations and community members during a crowd-funding campaign.
Town public works crews performed site finish work, avoiding the higher cost of hiring a private contractor.
By Jim Therrien, Vermont News & Media Correspondent
Sep 22, 2025