Township of Middletown Kunkel Park Skate Park Receives a 2024 NJPO Award

Project Description & Overview:

The Township of Middletown opened a new Skate Park inside Kunkel Park located on Brevent Avenue in March of 2024. The Township and project stakeholders came up with the idea to create the park from the COVID-19 lockdown, when many homebound residents took to skateboarding as a new hobby. The community of skateboarders built a DIY skate park in the abandoned hockey rink, which was eventually shut down, however its creation inspired the Township to create this NEW skate park with the goal of inspiring coming generations to give skateboarding and similar outdoor hobbies a try.

Site improvements included construction of a new concrete skate park, a new 8-foot fence surrounding the skate park, installation of landscaping; upgrade of the existing lighting, reconstruction and regrading the site to address stormwater management and drainage, improvements to the parking lot for traffic flow, upgrade existing water to the site, rehabilitation of the connection to the Henry Hudson Trail, installation of park signage and amenities, a skateboard repair area, and a new shed.

This project is a great success for the Township and its community!  Programs for beginner skaters and youth group events have been scheduled and taken place since opening of the facility and scheduling for additional events is constantly requested.  Skaters and spectators throughout the Central NJ Region, as well as from other states, have praised this facility as one of the best new outdoor recreation and skatepark facilities in New Jersey!