State-Of-The-Art Skatepark Coming To Berkeley Township Soon

BERKELEY TOWSHIP - Little by little, the skate park in Veterans Park in Bayville began falling apart.

Superstorm Sandy almost didn't help either.

"Over the years, wear and tear had taken it's toll on the skate park," Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. said. "Year after year, pieces were taken away after they were worn out due to wear and tear or just damaged. The final piece was taken away in 2015."

But things are going to change very soon.

Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. and Township Councilman Angelo Guadagno announced that the township plans to build a new $266,500 facility to be replace the one that was dismantled, in nearby Veterans Park.

"As you know, our primary focus was rebuilding after the devastation of Super Storm Sandy," Amato said. "We still have work to do, no doubt. However, the time is now to revisit projects that were placed on the back burner due to Sandy. The skate park was one of them."

Guadagno, Amato and members of the Recreation Department meet with stakeholders over the past year and settled on American Ramp Company. The skater-owned company has designed and built over 2,000 skate parks.

"This skate park will be warranted for 20 years," Amato said. "We were able to fund the park through unexpended funds in old bond ordinances."

The skate park will be a unique feature in Ocean County, Township Councilman Angelo Guadagno said.

“We wanted a park that would attract a lot of people, and this park does just that. The new skate park will allow BMX riders, skateboarders, scooter riders and inline skaters to use it.”

The park will be designed in phases, with a beginner's course on one side, intermediate in the middle and an advanced course on the other side.

"This will allow beginners to learn how to fully use the park," Guadagno said. "As people get better, they can use the other parts of the park, which allows for a great flow for the riders. In addition, the can go from one part to the other, all in one run."

Dudley Park will also get an upgrade. A sand pit for a beach volleyball court will be installed, a horseshoe pit, bocce ball, and half of a basketball court.

Image: Berkeley Township