Manchester Life 2020 | Page 52

moving mountains manchester’s new skatepark The pristine concrete skatepark was artfully designed by internationally renowned Seattle, Washington–based design firm Grindline Skateparks, and it now stands as an impeccably engineered and executed monument to the capability of Vermont community cooperation. When the Manchester Skatepark Committee first started meeting years ago with a vision for a new skatepark, finding sources of funding was a major obstacle. Bill Strecker, veteran skateboarder and owner of the newly opened Arson Skate Shop in Manchester, detailed the early years of the committee. “I became part of the group seven years ago. We tirelessly met for years to decide on an initial plan for the park. We were slow-moving because in the early days we were just two skaters and a couple of moms in town working together. The town itself jumped in after five years and they got some people who had helped with fundraising. Once we got a police officer, a public relations person, the town engineer, and a couple more people behind us, it just built from there. The town then offered to [support] us with $50,000 from an urban planning fund.” It was at that point that large donations started coming in. A couple of local individuals and an anonymous donor gave $185,000 toward the project. Peckham Industries, who supplied the concrete for the park’s construction, donated $25,000 of the costs, and local hardware store rk Miles gave generously as well. There Choose Peace over Panic. Choose Faith over Fear. Help others, if you can. homesteadlandscaping.com A locally owned company, for all seasons Bondville 802.297.1107 & Dorset 802.867.9000 50 manchester life | manchesterlifemagazine.com