Skate Park's Popularity Continues to Grow
By: Tina Shively
Updated: July 10, 2012
On any given day, dozens of skate and bike fans from across Western New York call this Canandaigua park a home away from home.
Steve Ellis lives in Farmington. His grandson Zack visits often from Mayville, south of Buffalo. He said "Every time he's here we spend as much time as we can here. He loves it there's no skate park anywhere near where he lives."
16-year-old Alijhiah Minor travels here from Naples, New York to visit family, and do tricks at the skate park.
He added "I'm so greatful that it's here. The previous skate park was by far nowhere as good as this one."
In 2006, Minor was part of the group that wanted a new, state-of-the-art park.
They went to Mayor Ellen Polimeni for help. "They talked to me about the fact you've got tennis courts you've got soccer fields you've got a swimming pool but there really isn't anything for the skaters," She said. "Tthey convinced me that was something that they really needed to have."
Polimeni worked with private donors and area politicians to raise the money needed to make the park a reality.
It opened last fall, and it's been a popular place to play ever since.
That's not only good news for those doing kickflips and ollies.
The park also boosts business at Canandaigua's skate and bike shops, gives kids a safe place to play, and keeps them off the streets.
Polimeni said "As one of the students said to me 'Miss Polimeni, if we weren't here, we'd be over on Main Street' so I think that says it all. That was one of the driving forces as far as the city was concerned."
Minor added "It's out in the streets but in a skate park so kids don't get in trouble, so it's good."
The park cost $290,000 dollars to build, most of it was paid for by a state grant.
