Middletown OK's $1.4 million to rebuild Kunkel Park for skaters

MIDDLETOWN - The township has agreed to finance a new skate park for $1.4 million.

The Township Committee gave the final go-ahead Monday at its regular meeting to make a $70,000 down payment and bond $1,330,000 to rebuild Bill Kunkel Memorial Park in the Leonardo section of town as a haven for skateboarders and inline skaters.

The township had hired Spohn Ranch, a transnational skate park design firm, and Flanders-based Suburban Consulting Engineers to advise on the proposed skate park in place of what is now a roller hockey rink.

The township also is looking to make improvements to a parking lot at the park and make other improvements.

The park sits just above Route 36, at Brevent and Highland avenues.

Community members and planning experts have lobbied for a skate park in the township for years. At least as far back as 2004, the township's Master Plan made note of a lack of skating facilities in town.

At the time, another skate park, a 1.08-acre facility on Pulsch Street, was in development. That park operated for just a few years before it was shuddere in 2010. Officials at the time said the park was being used "inappropriately," with local youths riding bicycles on equipment designed only for skateboards and inline skates.

The Committee first introduced the bond ordinance in April. At the time, Recreation Director Janet Dellett predicted the project could go out to bid in June or July.

Alex N. Gecan covers local news and unsolved mysteries for the Asbury Park Press. You can reach him at 732-547-1365 or agecan@gannettnj.com, or follow him on Twitter @GeeksterTweets.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Middletown NJ: Township to finance rebuilding Kunkel Park for skaters