Construction of the new Gorham Skatepark behind the Public Safety building on Chick Drive is completed, and enthusiasts of the sport have already found their way to the park ahead of the ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for October 6 at 4:00 p.m.

Planning began in early 2021 when a group of community members came together to advance the idea of adding a skatepark in Gorham. The Community Project Team includes Tom Dupuis, Project Community Lead; Emma Christakis, Project Management; Liam Nickerson, Community and Student Advocate; and James Rutherford, Site Selection Lead and Community Advocate.

Gorham students and the general public were surveyed, and community members were given multiple opportunities to be involved in the process of developing a design. The final concept, proposed by Pillar Design Studios, measures 10,000 square feet and caters to all ages with a mix of both novice and expert features. The park accommodates not only skateboarders, but also scooter riders, inline skaters, and BMX bicyclists.

“The skatepark project has been a fantastic process of bringing so many businesses and people working together from concept to design to construction and now actual users. This park is super amazing!” said Gorham Recreation Department Director Cindy Hazelton. Town Council Chair Lee Pratt added, “This was truly a village barn raising from Tom Dupuis’ incredible commitment, Town staff, corporate donations and private donations. This project never would have happened without the whole community working together.”

With an outpouring of support from local businesses Gorham Sand & Gravel, Gorham Savings Bank, Sebago Technics, Maine Community Foundation, University of Southern Maine, Grondin, Auburn Concrete, PA Lyford Inc., Salmon Falls Nursery & Landscaping, The Skatepark Project, and Narragansett Number One Foundation, as well as tremendous support from the Town of Gorham, Gorham Parks & Recreation, Public Works, Community Development Department, Planning Department, and the Gorham Town Council, the project has come to fruition.

Hazelton said, “The leadership group of this project interviewed five different companies for design and construction. We ended up working with Pillar Design Studios and Artisan Skateparks and that has proven to be the best of the best!” She continued, “This skatepark was fabricated all on site. No prefab parts. Fantastic craftsmanship and a professional group of guys built a park we all can be proud of!”

Through a private-public partnership, supplemented by funds from the Town’s recreation impact fees, Phase I totaling 8,000 square feet was constructed by Artisan Skateparks this summer. Phase II of the skatepark project will be the addition of a bowl to the park with fundraising likely to be underway very soon, according to Hazelton. She said, “The estimated cost for the bowl is in the neighborhood of $225,000.”

The project team would also like to recognize the contributions of Mike Rich who painted the mural, Jake Nicely of Atlantic Precision Services who constructed the skatepark sign, and Matt Herrick of Apian Flower Company who completed the landscape design.

For more information, visit the Gorham Skatepark Facebook page or follow Gorham Skatepark on Instagram.