Moving Ahead With The Skate Park

To the Editor:

The Donate To Skate Campaign has persevered and worked hard through the years with the help from many people. Every day I realize how lucky we are and we’re finally getting somewhere. You may not have heard that a family in town, who wishes to remain anonymous for now, has pledged to donate $25,000 if the town matches it. Talk about a miracle! Wow, what a wonderful surprise! We are so close to reaching our goal to give our skater’s a safe place to practice. Knowing they’re safer in a skate park is a huge relief.

All the good news has brought out the skate park constructors and with it the fierce competition has begun. There have been some insensitive letters written as to the pros and cons about the concrete we have chosen. Letters like these are normal considering many companies want to construct the Newtown skate park. Having said that, these letters are hard to take for those of us who have poured many hours of sweat into the fundraising and design plans but we understand this is part of the bargain.

I want to let the bidders know that we’ve carefully explored our options and have decided what we want. If your company isn’t equipped to construct a precast park, I kindly ask you to refrain from making derogatory remarks about our choice.

I am personally grateful to have been guided by very intelligent, resourceful people. First and foremost, there is Amy Mangold, director of Newtown Parks and Recreation. I know for a fact Amy doesn’t make hasty, impulsive decisions and has worked diligently on this project with professional town officials like Carl Samuelson. For instance, the original land was studied make sure it would hold the weight of a skate park. When the results came back for that area it proved to be unsuitable and so another area at Dickinson was researched and came back OK so now we know where to build.

I hope this letter will cease the debate going on about precast concrete versus poured concrete. I know that some contractors feel upset about our choice and  for that I’m sorry. It’s all just business as usual.

We are confident our skate park will be a jewel and our kids will be safe. Lastly, just as a reminder Donate To Skate is still seeking donations. If you want to make a donation go to Donatetoskate.com. We truly appreciate everyone’s support.

Sincerely,

Lori Capozziello

123 Toddy Hill Road, Sandy Hook                             March 31, 2010