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Chatham Skate Park to Reopen

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the members of the Chatham Township Committee and Township administration who listened to our concerns and desire to see Chatham Skate Park reopened, and worked collaboratively with us to find a cost-effective way to bring the park back to peak condition. As a result of these efforts, the Township has repaired the ramps at the park and allowed us to fundraise for the $15,000 required to apply a new acrylic sealcoating designed specifically for skate wheels to the now bumpy and worn asphalt, which will result in making the park beautifully and durably smooth for skating once again.

We’d also like to pay tribute to Mary Carnes of and Suzanne Bonamo, the visionaries who dreamed up this idea and after years of hard work and dedication to the idea of a place suited to meet the needs of both traditional and non-traditional athletes, brought the park to life in 2003.  Thank you also to their cadre of volunteers, and to those individuals, businesses, organizations and foundations who made donations to support the original building of Chatham Skate Park.

It is fortuitous that should the funds be successfully raised, the completion of Chatham Skate Park’s revitalization is set to coincide with the 10th anniversary of National Go Skate Day on June 21st. To mark this occasion, the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation (part of the National Museum of American History) is hosting “Innoskate”, a two-day major public festival that will celebrate invention and creativity in skate culture.  With the public’s help, we hope to celebrate at Chatham Skate Park as well.

To make a donation, send a check payable to “Township of Chatham” with “Skate Park” written in the memo line to:  Chatham Skate Park Committee, 58 Meyersville Road, Chatham, NJ 07928.

Manish J. Mehta

7:29 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013

I joined the township council meeting during the public hearing on the skatepark issue and truly impressed by all the local citizens[especially the youth!] who came out to express their support along with Mayor Hagner and the council leadership team for facilitating an inclusive process. A special shout out to Cathy Abbott for her leadership and encouragement throughout the process from day one! In a time where politics at the national level appear dysfunctional, it is a great role model for the children of Chatham to see citizens across the political spectrum debating and working together to make an impact on the community.

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