Skateboard park coming to Branford?

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February 15, 2013

Skateboard park coming to Branford?

Committee formed to look into issue

Andrew McGee Suwannee Democrat The Suwannee Democrat Fri Feb 15, 2013, 09:17 AM EST

Branford — Branford Town Hall was at capacity Tuesday night for further discussion on a future skateboard park. The Town Council decided to form a committee to specifically address all the issues in making the park a reality. 

Bill Procko, owner of Branford Fitness, started the discussion.  

He pointed to the folks in the audience, some teenagers, that were with him and said they indicate a huge local following and interest in skateboarders including himself.

 “I’ve been skating for 37 years and it’s done me a lot of good and my wife as well, so it’s a young and old sport,” smiled Procko. 

Among the several skateboarders was Branford High School Dean of Students Carl Manna. He said that prior to the meeting, he and the students all skateboarded the several blocks from BHS to Town Hall that evening. 

Tony Misiano, from New Smyrna Beach who builds skateboard parks and is also a fellow skateboarder, was in attendance.

 “I think we were all in agreement we would like to do that for the children,” said Councilman Charlie Daniel.  Misiano had some brochures he passed around and assured council there were huge expensive parks that he’s built, but that smaller, less expensive parks were more ideal for towns such as the size of Branford. 

Misiano said that he got into the construction business specifically to build skateboard parks because he knew as a skater what was ideal and what worked best.

 “Establishing a good quality concrete skateboard park is the key,” said Misiano. “Even if you can start it in small steps or phases, you can really make something good for your community that’s going to last.

” Misiano stressed that he traveled the three hours to Town Hall because he thought that maybe the council had seen or heard of modular-type parks. He wanted to address that in case they misunderstood or believed them to be better than concrete.

 His experience had led him to believe that the amount of upkeep to the modulars opposed to the concrete parks was very significant. Modulars were subject to wearing down where concrete would last for years before one might consider any reinforcement or restoration efforts.

 “Even if they come with a 15 year warranty or lifetime warranty, know that they are metal and that they’re going to rust apart and shake apart,” said Misiano.

 Procko said that he and his wife and kids travel often and if there were a modular skatepark in a town, they would move on. 

Procko and Misiano also talked about the options in applying for different grants and other sources that might help fund the parks construction instead of a total “out of pocket” expense for the town.

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