By Annika Wickham
Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow announced on March 31 the approval of a new skate park that will be built along the east side of the Oswego River.
Brad Siedlecki, the lead designer of the project and owner of Pillar SkateParks, said he is very excited to get building, as he has wanted a skate park in Oswego for a long time. Siedlecki grew up in Oswego and said he has hoped for a skate park in the city since he was “10 years old.”
“The mayor has already chosen an epic site for it,” Siedlecki said. “We are right on the Oswego river, it’s got great views. This is the type of park that brings people into the city, and being able to showcase the river and the lake and the downtown is a [great] aspect of the park.”
Siedlecki also said he knows Barlow personally and the timing was just right to begin plans for the park. In a press release, Barlow said he believes that the park will increase community involvement after COVID-19 took it away.
“Following the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no doubt the youth in our community need more support and more outlets now more than ever,” Barlow said. “A new, state-of-the-art, modern skatepark will provide Oswego youth with a great opportunity to get outdoors and have fun … A skatepark has been in high demand here in Oswego for many, many years and I am both excited and proud to be able to deliver this new asset to our community.”
Siedlecki’s childhood friends that are still in Oswego also expressed their enthusiasm for the project because they all wished they had a safe place to skate in their youth.
“I know that all my friends that I grew up skating with that still live in the area are super excited,” Siedlecki said. “This is a welcome thing and it’s needed for the kids in the community to have a safe place to skate.”
Siedlecki continued by saying they are building the park to last and he hopes that it will be able to be enjoyed for many years.
“We all know with the Oswego winters that anything made of wood doesn’t last very long,” Siedlecki said. “We are using concrete for longevity and straight skatability.”
The park will be 5,000 square feet and will have ramps, a half pipe, railings and platforms along with other modern touches to keep community members safe while they use the area.
“The park area will have lighting and surveillance cameras installed and the city plans to convert a nearby, unused building into a restroom facility for park goers,” the press release stated.
SUNY Oswego students are also excited to see a new skatepark being built. It is common to see students on the main campus near Penfield Library and Lanigan Hall skateboarding around cones and other obstacles. Matt Panzanaro, who frequently participates in these activities said he is “super stoked” about the skate park.
“Everyone will definitely be willing to go to a park like that,” Panzarano said. “We’re usually just here [on campus], I know people try to drive to find nice spots but … I think [the park] will get more people involved.”
Funding for the skate park is coming from two main sources, according to a press release. The City of Oswego is providing $300,000 and the Federal Government’s American Rescue Plan is giving $1.7 million. An additional $200,000 was designated to the project in the fall of 2021 from “a property transaction when the city sold a large lot on George Street to Farnham Family Services.”
Along with the obvious uses the skatepark will have, Barlow also said that the city wants to work with “local businesses and community organizations” to sponsor free events for kids and their families at the facility.
The park is expected to be completed by October 2022, according to the press release and will hopefully bring more community involvement to the city.
“We’re finally doing it,” Siedlecki said. “The true success will be of its use and watching all the kids use it and grow.”
Image via oswegony.com
