Skatepark Renovations Planned

Originally Published: January 22, 2024

Stakeholders Meet w/Rec & Park, Design Companies

A meeting between Arthur Shepherd, Director of Rec & Parks, the SOMD Skateboard Association , Pillar Design Studios, and Artisan Skateparks on December 18th started the process of skatepark renovations in earnest. Rec & Park and the two design companies solicited feedback from those in the well-attended meeting, asking what features are desired in a renovated Nicolet Skatepark and a newly constructed Chaptico Skatepark. The goal is for Pillar Design Studios and Artisan Skateparks to design a master plan to be presented during a public meeting in late January or early February.

Nicolet Park will see renovations to the current skate structures, as well as the construction of a street skate focused area on the adjacent grass lawn. The green space is 10K SF in size, but only about 4K SF is usable. The design goal is to be budget friendly while enhancing what is already present. Initial ideas for Nicolet Park are to work on the long spine because of limited visibility on either side due to its height. Cutting that down and putting a pump bump on the end is one solution. The current park should remain transition and flow focused, but be more approachable for all types of users.

Feedback from meeting attendees included requests for round rails, a small drop, medium height long flat bar, and curb height manny pads on the street side. More changes to the current structure in place may include polishing the concrete so it’s flatter, then sealing it, and addressing the cracks.

At Chaptico Park, the proposed skatepark location is about 6K SF in size just off the first curve of the park entrance road. Director Shepherd said they would start Phase 1 with a small skatepark, see what the usage is and allow that to determine the need for a Phase 2. The representative from Artisan Skateparks said they would develop a master plan for the location to help facilitate the decision making process. Requests included a street park with a competent transition feature or mini ramp, an approachably sized A-frame, and a well proportioned hip accessible from two directions.

The skatepark projects are funded from a Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Program Open Space grant, which the County Commissioners approved back in December. The grant provides $765K and requires a county match of $85K, for a total funded amount of $850K. The final project budget has not been released, but if all goes according to plan the estimated start time for renovation at Nicolet could be late May or early June.

Thanks to the person who suggested I review this meeting!