A skatepark can say a lot about its city. Do you feel welcome there? Are you inspired by it? Is it clean, safe and accessible? Frequent users of our existing park here in Peterborough know it to be a welcoming and inviting place, but newcomers – both visitors passing through and local people just learning – can find its general aura a bit intimidating.

This has formed much of our motivation for kickstarting a revitalization project for the existing park in partnership with the City of Peterborough. It’s a little show of pride for a place that has been dear to the community for two decades, and an opportunity to foster a more inviting atmosphere that attracts new visitors while giving the regulars a fresh look for the dulling senses.

Our vision for Bonnerworth Park includes a series of capital infrastructure upgrades (such as energy-efficient lights and perimeter seating) that will increase the overall accessibility of this park while we await the creation of a second space. To reinvigorate a connection with the community, we have already embarked on some much-needed repairs to the aging concrete, and managed to get a fresh coat of paint down, all with generous support from the City of Peterborough and a solid team of volunteers.

With this new look and stronger support from the community, we might now consider hosting contests and skate events in the City once again.

Progress:

• Crack repairs (completed: July ‘21)
• Re-painting (completed: Aug. ‘21)
• Upgrade lights to LED (pending)
• Additional picnic tables (pending)
• Water fountain and sun shade (TBD)