The Stamford Skatepark

(2007-06-18)Finally we got some big stuff in Connecticut. The Stamford Skatepark in Scalzi Park opens July 1st, 2007. It will be free, at-your-own-risk, open during daylight hours, for skaters and the last remaining inline enthusiasts. No bikes allowed. Scalzi Park is located at the southwest corner of Washington Blvd and Bridge St. in Stamford, about a mile and a half up Washington Blvd. from the train station. The skatepark is approximately 12,000 sq. feet and can be found just past the technical high school on the right hand side of the park road. The site plan calls for adjacent basketball courts with lights and the city expects that this lighting will also reach the skatepark. There will also be additional parking. We will see about all that. The important thing is skatepark, which has some big fast transitions and everything else you get with Grindline. The big bowl has a 10ft. deep end, an 8ft. keyhole and an opver vert cradle with brick coping. There is also a 10ft. extension with granite bullnose on top. The "bonus" bowl is a snow man with the deep end in the middle and an escalating side to side elevation in the far end. At the top are 3 slabs of granite saved from the long-gone Skate Hut in Rhode Island. Everywhere the coping is either steel pipe or Federal Stone pool block with the pool block just about everywhere you want it. The tile in the keyhole is made of flat, irregularly arranged stones and it gets your attention. Oh yeah there is a street area, too. The Grindline crew was Little Eddie, Ed, Colette, Scotty and Joe the Dream Destoyers, and appearances by Merk and Hubbard. If these guys come to your town be sure and read about "hospitality protocol" in the Juice magazine interview section. Yes it will cost you money and the patience of loved ones, but you will get a kick ass skatepark. Their next job is in Wheeling, WV so stock up on Busch 30 packs and ice, Wheeling.-Bill Helene