š¹ Building Smart, Not Just Big: Manchesterās Proposed $kate Park
- Troy Micklon
- Oct 22
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 23
A Promising Idea, But the Details Matter
At the October 21 Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA)Ā meeting, the proposed Wolfe Park skate parkĀ was on the agenda as part of the broader city park upgrades item. Like many residents, I am excited about the idea of a high-quality skate park that gives Manchesterās youth a safe, dedicated space and adds new energy to our parks system.
When I was younger, I spent countless hours skateboarding and still have my old Frankie Hill āBulldogā board from Powell PeraltaĀ hanging in my garage as a reminder of those days. I understand firsthand how important spaces like this can be. They bring people together, give kids an outlet, and help build community.
Even so, great ideas still need solid plans, and this one raises important questions about cost, funding, and priorities that must be answered before moving forward.
What Happened at the Meeting
Tonightās vote was not to fully approve the project. Rather, it was to send it back to the Community Improvement Program (CIP) CommitteeĀ so that the financial details could be better developed and clarified.
The project will now appear on the CIP Committee agenda for November 18, 2025, giving both officials and residents another opportunity to review the proposal in depth.
Here is where the project currently stands:
In June 2024, BOMA approved $100,000Ā for a study and design.
The proposed construction costĀ is about $2.5 million.
With 20-year bonding fees and interest, the real costĀ would roughly be ~$5.5 million.
The project was not part of the Fiscal Year 2026 city budgetĀ approved earlier this year.
The Vote Breakdown
Motion:Ā Authorize the Skate Park project and return it to the CIP Committee to finalize bonding details.
Voted For (Authorize and Return to CIP): Burkush (Ward 9) | Fajardo (Ward 4) | Goonan (Ward 2) | Long (Ward 3) | OāNeil (At-Large) | T. Sapienza (Ward 5) | Thomas (Ward 12) | Vincent (Ward 11)
Voted Against: Kantor (Ward 6) | Levasseur (At-Large) | E. Sapienza (Ward 8) | Terrio (Ward 7)
Maintenance, Safety, and Unexpected Costs
When discussing this project, we cannot focus only on construction costs. The long-term upkeep and safetyĀ of the facility must also be considered.
Upkeep and hidden costs:
Concrete ramps, bowls, and rails need regular maintenance and periodic resurfacing.
Added lighting, drainage systems, parking areas, and landscaping all create ongoing costs for the city.
Major parks like this often need significant repairs after 15ā20 years, and without planning, those costs can surprise taxpayers later.
If the city is already expecting roughly $225,000 per year in debt payments, annual maintenance and operations could easily add tens of thousands more.
Safety and crime history: Manchester has seen serious issues at past skate parks that strained police resources.
If Manchester is to invest millions in a new skate park, we must also plan for security, staffing, and community programmingĀ that keep it safe and welcoming for everyone. That means budgeting for surveillance cameras, lighting, and regular presence from Police and Parks & Recreation.
Why I Disagree With the Current Approach
While sending this project to the CIP CommitteeĀ to finalize bonding details may seem like progress, I do not believe simply refining the bond is the right path forward. The funding model itselfĀ needs to change.
I believe the Skate Park should be financed either through a public and private partnershipĀ or entirely through donations and nonprofit fundraising, not through long-term taxpayer debt.
Manchester has already seen community interest in this kind of approach. A group called the Manchester Skate Park FundĀ was founded several years ago to raise money for a new skate park, although its public activity appears to have paused since 2021. The founder is listed as a skateboarding instructor with the Manchester Police Athletic League (MPAL), an organization that partners successfully with youth programs across the city.
We have also seen this model succeed right at Wolfe Park. The basketball courts there were recently upgraded through private donations, thanks to local philanthropist Chris Brickley and the Lids Foundation, who partnered with the city to refresh the courts without relying on taxpayer funds.
This is exactly the type of collaboration Manchester should be encouraging. Community leaders, youth mentors, local businesses, and nonprofits can come together to fund and help steward the project, rather than relying on a multimillion-dollar bond that future taxpayers will have to pay off.
How Other New Hampshire Communities Are Doing It
Concord, NHĀ ā The Concord Skate Park AssociationĀ (a nonprofit partnered with Parks & Rec) is raising funds toward a $1.8 millionĀ goal through grants and sponsorship tiers ranging from $2,500 to $75,000.
Nashua, NHĀ ā The Granite State Sport CampĀ is developing the stateās first nonprofit indoor skate park using GoFundMe donationsĀ and community partnerships rather than city debt.
Stratham, NHĀ ā Residents launched a 7,500 sq ft / $265,000Ā skate park. The town contributed $35,000, while the rest came from donor bricks and sponsorships routed transparently through Parks & Rec.
Conway, NHĀ ā The Kevin Peare Memorial Skate ParkĀ committee is raising funds privately through donor bricks, local events, and merchandise sales, a fully grassroots approach that strengthens community ownership and reduces reliance on municipal funds.
Lessons for Manchester
These local examples prove there is a smarter, shared-responsibility path:
City and Community InvestmentĀ ā shared funding models ease the taxpayer burden.
Nonprofit FundraisingĀ ā grants, sponsorships, and events engage residents and businesses.
TransparencyĀ ā funds routed through Parks & Rec maintain oversight and trust.
Phased ConstructionĀ ā build what is affordable, expand as donations grow.
Community OwnershipĀ ā local participation keeps the park active and sustainable.
Looking Beyond New Hampshire
Across the country, many cities are showing how successful public-private skate park partnershipsĀ can work without placing the full burden on taxpayers:
Evansville, Indiana ā Sunset Skate Park:Ā A 26,000 sq ft facility costing $1.7 million, with more than $800,000 raised through private donations and community partners.
Baltimore, Maryland ā Roosevelt Park:Ā Funded through a collaboration between the city and the nonprofit Skatepark of Baltimore, which raised matching funds through grants and community events.
Lincoln, Nebraska ā South Haymarket Skate Park:Ā A $25 million destination park led by the Lincoln Parks Foundation, currently being developed through corporate sponsorships, donations, and nonprofit partnerships.
Seattle, Washington ā Rainier Beach Playfield Skate Park:Ā A $4.35 million project funded by a mix of state, county, city, and private contributions, designed with input from local community groups and youth organizations.
Austin, Texas ā Heath Eiland and Morgan Moss BMX and Skate Park:Ā Constructed using city funds, private sponsorships, and major community donations, serving as a model for sustainable park management and safety oversight.
Each of these examples shows that large, successful skate parks can be built through shared responsibilityĀ rather than long-term municipal borrowing.
My Perspective
I support bringing a skate park back to Manchester. Our city lost one and still needs it. But with costs possibly exceeding $5.5 million, we need to make sure this project is fiscally responsible, transparent, and sustainable.
The solution is not to pay for this over 20 years at a huge markup. The solution is to change the funding modelĀ and invite nonprofits, local businesses, and community leaders to help fund and maintain the project.
Closing Thought
Manchester deserves great recreation spaces that strengthen our community and inspire pride. We can achieve that goal if we stay guided by valuesĀ like fiscal responsibility, transparency, and community collaboration, and focused on outcomesĀ that create lasting value for residents.
By following that principle, we can build a skate park that reflects both Manchesterās creativity and its commitment to responsible planning and financial accountability.
šĀ TroyMicklon.com
When I first read about this park, I was all for it, and I was upset that our Alderman in Ward 8 had voted against it. But after reading what is really involved and other ways to accomplish it, Iāve changed my mind. I appreciate the Aldermen who are keeping Manchester residence, the taxpayers, in mind. Thank you for this detailed explanation.