Residents fight for skate park remodel

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) --  Parents say the Edgewood Skate Park in New Haven is a great outlet for their kids, but it needs an upgrade.

Now that the temperatures are warming up, many parents say their kids head to Edgewood Skate Park, but they say the conditions are so poor that it's getting dangerous for their kids.

"Skateboarding is huge, not just for transportation in the downtown area, but for people who do tricks," said Khem Saqa, a New Haven resident.

Ever since a New Haven resident sent a letter to Mayor John DeStefano about the need to refurbish the skate park, a dialogue has started between the city and residents.

"I think it's a great place for kids to come to get in some recreation," said Saqa. "It's a little under-kept, but I see a lot of positivity here."

He says the skate park is geared more toward bike riders than skateboarders and he would like to see new structures put in to create more opportunities for kids on skateboards.

"I 100% agree. I think that next time they should refurbish it they should keep skateboarders in mind. The concrete ramps last longer, but the way they're spread out it's not conducive to skateboard riding," he says.

The city agrees and officials at the Department of Parks and Recreation plan to meet with the resident who got this whole conversation started.

"It's time for something to get done," said Bob Levine, the Director of New Haven's Department of Parks and Recreation. "I think the skate park is 12 years old, it's kind of ready for some kind of update and having a group come forward and have some energy in terms of getting the project running along smoothly is a great thing."

City officials say the biggest hurdle they'll face is finding funding for the park. They say they've already reached out to the Tony Hawk Foundation to see if they can get any funding from them.