Portsmouth to Build Skatepark

Portsmouth approved another one million dollars more to build a three million dollar skatepark.

Councilors voted in favor of issuing a bond to finance the long-awaited facility on Greenland Road this week, the culmination of a years-long effort from young skateboarders and sport enthusiasts to bring a new skatepark to the Port City. The vote came after the City Council in summer 2022 set aside close to $1.9 million to pay for the facility, a figure that jumped in recent weeks after bidders presented their outlines for the project with cost estimates that exceeded projections.

City skateboarders gathered around Jesse Court, a Skateboard Park Blue Ribbon Committee member, Portsmouth High School student and son to committee co-chairperson Amy-Mae Court, during his remarks to the council prior to their vote. ‘We are all really excited about this park and we are very grateful that the city is finally building a safe and usable place for us to skate,’ he said. ‘As Portsmouth skateboarders, we will take care of the park and make sure others do, too. This skatepark is going to be a great place for kids and adults to learn and progress their skating’