Newport’s new public skatepark is now open. The Friends of Newport Skatepark made the announcement on Facebook on November 27, 2024, simply stating, “It’s Official!! The Park is OPEN!!”
This milestone comes about six months after the May 31, 2024 groundbreaking ceremony on John Chaffee Boulevard.
The park, spanning roughly 19,000 square feet, was made possible through over $1 million in fundraising efforts.
At the groundbreaking in May, Paul Marshall, vice president of the Friends of Newport Skatepark board, emphasized the park’s significance: “This skatepark is more than just concrete ramps and rails. It’s a safe, inclusive space for skaters of all ages and skill levels to come together, push their limits, and express themselves freely.”
Friends of Newport Skatepark celebrate groundbreaking ceremony for new Newport outdoor skatepark
The project’s origins can be traced back to a Rogers High School senior project. It gained new life in 2016 when student Tim Boucher highlighted the poor condition of the old Easton’s Beach skatepark and its lack of accessibility for Newport’s youth.
Sid Abbruzzi, a director of Friends of Newport Skatepark and owner of Water Brothers surf and skate shop, noted at the groundbreaking ceremony the long journey to this point, recalling previous attempts to establish skateparks in the area.
Newport Mayor Xaykham “Xay” Khamsyvoravong drew a parallel between skateboarding and the project itself: “You’ve embodied one of the most important lessons any skater learns through countless scrapes and bruises – that achieving something like this takes time, and you just have to keep pushing until you break through.”
While the park’s completion came slightly later than the initial early fall target, it’s now ready for skaters to enjoy.
For more information and updates, visit https://www.friendsofnewportskatepark.com/.