BENNINGTON — Construction on a new town skate park off Depot Street could begin later this year.
The Bennington Select Board voted unanimously Monday to proceed with the first phase of a cast concrete facility near the Walloomsac Riverwalk path, which is estimated to cost $916,000.
A proposed second phase of the project, which would include a building covering a section of the park for use in cold weather, is currently estimated to cost “in the range of $500,000,” officials said, and would also require board approval before proceeding.
The designer/building contractor is GRINDLINE, which has constructed more than 250 parks around the U.S. and in other countries.
The firm has been working with a local volunteer committee — including Geoff Metcalfe of Keefe & Wesner Architects, enthusiasts and town staff — to get the park to the design stage.
Fundraising
Town Community Development Director Shannon Barsotti said during a presentation that the financing package includes three major components.
She said $300,000 would come from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) pandemic relief funding Bennington has received; $300,000 would come from the town’s Penny for Parks fund, which assesses a penny on the town property tax rate annually for recreation facilities; and the balance would come from a fundraising campaign and state grants the town is seeking.
Creation of a skate park in town topped a list of citizen-suggested priorities in a survey on potential uses for the ARPA funds, noted board member Jim Carroll.
The total cost could be reduced by in-kind work on the project that might be provided by the town, Barsotti said.
Fundraising will now commence, she said, with a group of volunteer skate enthusiasts and others working with fundraising consultant Christine Graham.
“We couldn’t be in better hands,” board member Jeanne Conner said of Graham, president of CPG Enterprises, which works with a range of nonprofit organizations in the region.
“She is the one we need to do this,” Conner said.
Grants sought
Barsotti said the town is applying for a Vermont Downtown Transportation Fund grant for up to $200,000 to help toward the local fundraising goal, as well as for smaller grants.
She said the town expects to learn whether it will receive Downtown Transportation Fund funding by April, adding that the program previously provided $200,000 for improvements to the Walloomsac multi-use path and funds for the pocket park near the Four Corners in the downtown.
A skate park is related to the town’s efforts to expand its multi-use downtown trail system and enhance downtown development, she said, and that could bolster chances for a new grant.
Design, engineering
Assistant Town Manager and Planning Director Dan Monks said the park developer, GRINDLINE, will now create a final design, while MSK Engineers will complete an analysis of the park site and the state permitting requirements.
Asked by resident Nancy White whether there could be flooding or other issues in placing a cast concrete structure near the Walloomsac, Monks said state permitting requirements are extensive for such a site. He said MSK will look at all aspects of stormwater runoff, erosion and geothermal features of the parcel.
Indications are that “there are no insurmountable obstacles” to prevent use of the site, he said.
White also asked about traffic near the parcel and safety requirements for residents, especially youth visiting the park.
Board Chairwoman Jeannie Jenkins said such considerations will be part of the planning process, and the town also will look at suggested options to ensure safe street crossings in the vicinity.
Barsotti said one reason the site is good for a downtown park is its connection to the town’s expanding bike/pedestrian path system and because it is within walking/biking distance of local schools.
The park is expected to be approximately 16,000 square feet in size, which is similar to a park in Manchester. The state’s largest skate park, in Burlington, encompasses about 20,000 square feet.
Bennington Banner
By