Yes! The Footbridge Skate + Arts Park Project is a community project currently incubated by the Blairstown Enhancement Committee, a 501c3 organization.

This is a 100% volunteer-driven community project. No one gets paid to do this work, and you can learn more about the Steering Committee on the home page. Email us at info@sk8blairstown.org if you’d like to get involved!

All funds from any online donations are transferred directly from Givebutter, our fundraising platform, into the non profit’s bank account. Any additional donations via check or cash are promptly given to the BEC’s treasurer for deposit.

We know! A number of folks who have tried over the past 30 years are onboard. Additionally, we already have the town’s support- see Important Documents. We also helped to initiate a critical step that involves the State of NJ and Blairstown negotiating a land swap, as the property lines in that section of the park are complex and needed to be redrawn to allow for full Blairstown ownership of the section that will include the Footbridge Skate + Arts Park!

Did you know that skateboarding is in the Olympics? Now considered a mainstream sport, skating is often covered under a town’s general recreation policy, much like a sports field would be. As we get closer to reaching our financial goal, we will of course make sure the final design complies with all of the expectations of the township of Blairstown and its insurer, including proper signage, etc.

This park is for everyone! The design includes a park that can be used by skateboarders, BMXers, inline skaters, folks on scooters, and more. Folks of all ages can be active at skateparks in different capacities!

Additionally, there will be amphitheater seating and a mini outdoor theater, increased ADA accessibility, and spots to sit and chat, drink coffee with a friend, or just enjoy the view of the park.

Many reasons for this one!

1. There’s a long history of skating, meeting up, and music in Footbridge Park.

2. Proximity to Main Street will allow for dynamic movement and engagement between the park, the Paulinskill Trail, and our small businesses on Main Street.

3. Relatedly, young people without vehicles in this area have extremely limited options for recreation and hanging out with friends. By locating the project here, it allows for a public meeting space, access to food and drink, the ability to be within the community, but also giving a little bit of independence as well.

4. This corner of Footbridge Park has been neglected for years and generally looked scary and weird before we started cleaning it up about 5 years ago.

5. Access! This is a huge one and relates to everything above. There’s great parking, connectivity via the Paulinskill Trail to Sycamore Park and North Warren, proximity to Main Street, and generally good visibility.