SALISBURY — By summer’s end, Partridge Brook Skate Park will have undergone a creative transformation that local officials hope will keep the community space attractive and inviting to all.
The focal point of the makeover will be a mural painted by a local artist with the help of community members.
Artisan Skateparks began construction of Salisbury’s facility in early March 2023 at the park located behind Salisbury Elementary School.
The price tag was roughly $850,000 with most of the money coming from grants. The town received a $242,000 grant for the Americans With Disabilities Act work as well as a $400,000 Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities grant.
The town’s decision to add a mural was in part due to vandalism in the area in recent years, according to Jenn Roketenetz, Salisbury Parks and Recreation administrator.
“We’ve had a little bit of issues with graffiti. And, the thought is that if we put someone else’s art on it, hopefully other people with their artwork would be respectable and it would deter graffiti. But, also put our own mark on it that would be representative of the community and of skaters and families and everybody using the park,” Roketenetz said.
With that in mind, the town was awarded a $20,000 grant from the Essex County Community Foundation, giving officials enough money to find an artist for the job. ECCF gave a total of $110,000 in May to area communities as part of its Creative County grant program.
Melissa Pandina was chosen due to her impressive proposal, according to Roketenetz.
“Hers in particular really stood out because you could tell that she had done a number of community projects. Her work was really beautiful and she had quite a bit of experience,” she said.
Pandina will outline the mural she will paint with townspeople at a community paint party Aug. 9.
“They’ll all be given cups of paint and they’ll be painting sections of the skate park. So, it really is truly a community space done by the community led by her,” Roketenetz said.
On Thursday, the town will host an ice cream social/listening session at the skate park to hear feedback from residents about the mural’s design and where exactly it will be.
A beach theme is proposed for the mural, a nod to Salisbury’s proximity to the ocean. But Alison Sheehan, administrative assistant for the Salisbury Planning and Development Department, said the town is open to suggestions.
“It’s really the feedback we hear this Thursday from skateboarders. If they want to see something different down there, or a different cooler vibe to them, we are up to hearing it,” Sheehan said.
Alongside the mural, the skate park will also feature benches made from recycled skateboards and welded into shape.
A majority of the donated skateboards will be painted by Alex Jutras and Arthur Anderson, the artists selected for the benches.
The benches can be adopted by residents and local organizations who will be able to customize a plaque.
The projects are both likely to be completed in the coming months with the mural expected to be completed in mid-August and the benches by summer’s end.
Daily News reporter Matt Petry contributed to this story.