By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
SALAMANCA — Seneca Nation and City of Salamanca officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new skatepark Monday at James J. Crowley Park.
The Seneca Nation Skatepark is a collaborative project being undertaken with the City of Salamanca providing a location, maintenance and lighting.
The Seneca Nation has provided matching funding for the skatepark that was designed by and will be constructed by Grindline Skateparks Inc., of Seattle. Other funding came from the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation and the Tony Hawk Foundation.
A groundbreaking was held earlier Monday for an identical skatepark on the Cattaraugus Territory at the Cattaraugus Community Building in Irving.
Dr. Donielle Lovell, director of Community Planning and Development for the Seneca Nation, told those gathered for the Crowley Park groundbreaking that a survey of kids found a skatepark at the top of their wish list.
Lovell said the kids responding to the survey were “speaking a different language” in talking about what they wanted from the skatepark. “They were talking about implements they wanted. They were talking about the tricks they wanted to be able to do.”
She said, “We’re thankful for the partnership between the Seneca Nation and the City of Salamanca to make this a reality.”
Early support was also expressed both by the Seneca Tribal Council and the Salamanca Common Council.
Lovell said the idea for a skatepark on the Allegany Territory came from former Tribal Councilor Billy Canella in 2021.
“A big shoutout to our kids and our youth who recommended it going back a few years,” said Seneca Councilor Tina Abrams. “This was at the top of their list that they wanted a skatepark on booth territories. I thank the community, and especially the kids, for bringing this to our attention and watching it come to fruition.”
Salamanca Mayor Sandra Magiera said the skatepark has been needed for years and that it will keep youth from riding skateboards unsafely in the street. It’s always a pleasure to work with the Seneca Nation.”
The mayor said the city and Seneca Public Works Departments had done preliminary work at the park.
Lovell said the contractor’s crew has arrived in Buffalo and plans to do concrete work on the skatepark this month. Final landscaping will be completed and the ribbon cutting will be held in the spring.
