We have assembled a design team consisting of nationally acclaimed skate park designers (Grindline), civil engineers (VHB), geotechnical engineers (GZA), soil consultants (CDM), and lighting and electrical specialists (Cubellis). The CRC’s Skatepark Consultant, Doug Russell, coordinates the efforts of all these consultants. The CRC’s Skatepark Committee meets monthly, and subcommittees on design and insurance meet as needed.

In addition, we are working in close collaboration with the three state agencies that are stakeholders in the parkland where the Skatepark will be built—the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority (MTA), the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), and the Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD). The CRC meets with members of the MTA and DCR on a monthly basis and corresponds regularly in between meetings to assemble data and feedback these agencies provide.

The MTA has approved the conceptual design prepared by Grindline, the skatepark’s designers and builders. (Grindline’s renderings of the park are included at the end of this document.)

We are working with DCR to prepare a plan for integrating the Skatepark with the surrounding parklands, while still allowing for the DCR’s future phasing of construction in the area, such as the planned pedestrian bridge over the nearby railroad tracks.

We have obtained the generous pro-bono services of attorney Robert Fitzpatrick of WilmerHale. Bob, whose son is a skateboarder, is working with the MTA to prepare a license that will authorize the CRC’s consultants to enter the site for a period of 3-4 days to conduct a land survey and soil tests. Additionally, Bob will prepare the license later needed for actual construction in 2009, guide the CRC through the permitting process, and assist with other negotiations.

We are assembling a plan for management and operations of the Skatepark, which includes costs for general maintenance and repair, lighting and electricity, and insurance. This summer, the CRC will hire an MBA student intern to produce a business plan to assess the potential revenue stream from events held at the Skatepark.

We are researching the risk management tools necessary for the design, construction, and operations of the Skatepark. Attorney Robert Cowden of Casner & Edwards has researched the possibility of creating a separate Limited Liability Company (LLC) for the Skatepark. We also have engaged Bruce MacDonald of Albert Risk Management Consultants to help us identify the appropriate insurance products for each phase and recommend possible brokers for these products.

We are developing a design for the Skatepark’s entrance, which will include recognition of the many foundations, corporations, and individuals who have contributed to the park. We plan to have a mock-up of this donor wall produced and installed at the site for a donor gathering and press conference early this fall.

We have an innovative, enthusiastic team comprising representatives from the Museum of Science and the Mass College of Art, as well as an independent public works artist, collaborating on ideas of how to make the "physics of skateboarding" visible, dynamic, and engaging. Working with sensors and video will allow skaters to trace their moves within the park, thus creating an opportunity to make the science of movement more accessible. We will need a planning grant of $40,000 to explore these ideas further; a project of such site specificity and innovation will require feasibility studies, prototypes, and consultation with experts in the requisite areas of technology. For the implementation of the project, we intend to apply to national foundations.

We continue to receive funds from earlier pledges or applications, but we are not currently doing active fundraising. Until we know the construction and operations costs, we are carefully monitoring the Skatepark funds. Major funders receive an update every few months and we regularly maintain our website, www.thecharlesriverskatepark.org. Skatepark ties and zipper pulls are also for sale on this website.

A skater has designed a Charles River Skatepark tee shirt that features an air-born skater against the backdrop of the Zakim Bridge. We will have the tee shirt ready for sales and distribution in time for the CRC’s participation in the Red Sox’s Boston Alive! event on September 21st. The 3,000-person event, largely directed toward the city’s youth, will take place next to Fenway and will feature ramps and skateboarding.

The CRC continues to solicit input from skaters in the community and skaters have taken an active role in finalizing the design with Grindline, Skater and Skatepark Committee member Jamie Cumming has gathered Boston area skaters and together they have reviewed Grindline’s plans several times.

When skaters ask how they can become involved, we suggest they write up their skateboarding experiences and tell us what skateboarding has added to their lives. These stories, including those from a group of students from Gould Academy in Bethel, ME, which has a skateboarding team, are posted on the Skatepark website.