At the same time as residents are being urged to accept a potential change to Pope Park or Colt Park that nobody seems to want — a Cal Ripken Sr.Foundation Youth Development Park (with artificial turf) — the finishing touches are finally being happening on a different kind of park that has had enough buy-in to warrant the creation of the Hartford Skateboard Task Force.

When something sits unused long enough, people find other uses for it. In this case, the underutilized New Ross, County Wexford Park was unofficially reestablished — at least by those who regularly visited it — as Heaven, a space for skateboarding, parkour, and art.

Temporary ramps have appeared in this spot located on top of I-84, but something more permanent was desired.

Tonight, Mike McIntyre and Kanten Russell from Stantec/Who Skates? — the designer and builder selected for this project — will present the final design for the skatepark at Heaven. The aerial plan (right) shows features like grind ledges and rails. A rain garden is also included in the plans.

For those who have trouble conceptualizing information when it is simply posed in the form of plans, this will be an opportunity to ask questions and get more information about what improvements are in the works.

Because of the park’s location — over a highway — the Department of Transportation will have to review plans. Interested parties can find out tonight how they can advocate for this project so that it is not stalled by the DOT.

The presentation will be held in the Center for Contemporary Culture at the Hartford Public Library tonight, April 23, from 5:30-7:30.