Enthusiastic skaters, community groups, parents and kids joined with Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter, state officials and members of the Islip Town Board on Friday, March 24, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the unveiling and grand opening of the long-awaited Roberto Clemente Skateboard Park in Brentwood.
The plaza style skateboard park, in the 8,000 – 12,000 sq. ft. category, includes rails, ramps, steps and quarter-pipes, and was designed by Nelson + Pope and SITE Design Group Inc., the California firm responsible for legendary Tony Hawk’s own backyard skateboard area.
“When I took office in 2015, we made it one of our foremost priorities to rehabilitate and rededicate this park to the residents of Brentwood and in doing so, met with members of the skating community to discuss and collaborate on the creation and design of a much-desired skateboard park. We have kept that promise, and have delivered even more,” said Supervisor Carpenter.
Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter with NYS Assemblyman Phil Ramos at the grand opening of Roberto Clemente Skateboard Park accompanied by enthusiastic Brentwood neighborhood residents. Photo courtesy Town of Islip.
Roberto Clemente Park which was forced to close in 2014, reopened in 2017 under Supervisor Carpenter’s leadership, and in subsequent years, has seen the complete renovation of the Olympic size swimming pool; new poolside amenities including sunshades, picnic tables and chairs; the addition of a separate, enclosed, state-of-the-art spray park and playground; new sidewalks and a newly paved parking lot.
Preparations for the new plaza-style skateboard park began in June, 2022. “This has been a long time coming, and I think about this momentous opening as somewhat symbolic to the park’s history as a whole,” said Supervisor Carpenter. “With every pound of rebar laid, and each square-inch of concreate poured, we have worked to rebuild trust, and as we stand amidst this now beautiful park, we have given the community and the entire Town, a recreation destination they can truly be proud of,” she added.
The Supervisor applauded NYS Assemblyman Phil Ramos for his unwavering partnership and commitment to the project. “Our community is excited that the dark chapter at Roberto Clemente Park is over, and that our community can move forward stronger than before. I am proud that I successfully secured the needed $700,000 to help fund the Roberto Clemente Skate Park and give our children a safe place to play. I thank Supervisor Carpenter for her continued partnership. This bipartisan project demonstrates how much we can get done for the residents of our community when we all work together,” said Assemblyman Ramos. The total cost of the skateboard park was $1.25m.
“Our skateboard plaza will not only provide a safe and dedicated space for skaters to practice their craft, but we are confident it will open the door and create opportunities for lasting memories, where the sharing of culture, attitude, skill and technique will build a new history, and tie a new legacy to this great park,” concluded Supervisor Carpenter.
