Amherst has no skatepark. We're changing that. An inclusive, all-wheels facility for skateboarders, BMX riders, scooters, wheelchairs, and everyone who rolls — right here in our community.
There are currently no action sport recreation facilities in Amherst. Skateboarders do their best to be unseen — skating in parking lots, on stairways, and on streets where risk of injury is significantly higher.
Meanwhile, residents drive to Greenfield, Springfield, and Easthampton just to use facilities that other towns have invested in. Amherst's kids deserve those options at home.
This isn't just about skateboarding. An All-Wheels Skate Park is an affordable, accessible, open-to-all recreational asset — like a basketball court or a playground — that serves our whole community.
We compared participation rates for popular recreational activities against Amherst's existing facilities. Skateboarding and BMX rank among the highest unmet demand of any activity — second and third only to pickleball — and all three activities currently lack dedicated facilities. Zero permanent facilities exist for an estimated 1,597 skateboarding and BMX residents who have nowhere to ride in Amherst.
★ Zero dedicated facilities currently exist in Amherst for these activities. Numbers represent estimated residents who would benefit from a new facility (using Amherst pop. 35,472). Source: Statista 2024 / satellite map count.
Site selection is a core part of Phase 1. The Amherst High School campus area — with its proximity to Community Field, War Memorial Pool, and thousands of students — is one of several promising candidate locations being evaluated.
Amherst already has football fields, baseball diamonds, tennis courts, and a pool. A skatepark is the obvious next step — a Phase 1 study will identify the right location through community input and due diligence.
Amherst has always lacked proper spaces for teenage kids to convene. I grew up in this town and the only places we could go after school were the Boys & Girls Club or the library. Our kids deserve a positive space that is active and empowering.
It's not just for high school students. It's for college students, young kids who've watched teenagers compete in the Olympics, my husband and friends who drive weekly to Easthampton to skate, and also moms like myself who've ganged up to learn how to skateboard.
A skate park would address the needs of older kids and adults who would appreciate an inclusive place to gather, enjoy physical challenges and make in-person social connections. This would be a great investment consistent with the goals of creating a welcoming environment in town.
I think a skate park would help foster a sense of belonging for our older children and serve as a safe and exciting community hub for them. I often see teenagers visit playgrounds wanting a place for themselves to gather and socialize.
A skatepark averages ~65 decibels — roughly the same as conversational speech or a playground. According to a Portland, Oregon study, skateboarding noise was negligible at 50 feet. It's quieter than a basketball game.
91% of law enforcement officers surveyed by The Skatepark Project reported no major issues of behavior or crime at their local skatepark. A well-used, visible park with mixed ages actually becomes a self-policing space.
Most users will arrive on foot, by bike, or from the nearby high school. Experience in other towns consistently shows that skateparks do not create significant traffic or parking issues.
Municipal insurers categorize skateparks similarly to basketball courts, playgrounds, and athletic fields. Northampton, Belchertown, Greenfield, West Springfield, and Westfield all operate public skateparks without unusual liability premium increases.
According to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, skateboarding is statistically safer than basketball and football — activities Amherst already provides facilities for. Basketball has 10x more injuries per 1,000 participants.
A professionally built concrete skatepark has a lifespan of 20+ years with minimal maintenance. It requires no staff, no lighting (unless chosen), no nets or equipment. It's one of the most cost-effective recreational investments a town can make.
We're asking for CPA funding to complete Phase 1: a rigorous site selection and design process that will set up this project for successful construction, grant applications, and community buy-in. Full construction of a 10,000 sq. ft. skatepark is estimated at $500,000–$750,000. We will pursue grants, sponsorships, and future CPA funding for that phase.