No, Scarborough isn’t replacing a skate park with pickleball courts. It’s building both.
Scarborough Reimagines Old Skate Park, Adds New Pickleball Courts
Scarborough, Maine – After years of planning, the town is moving forward with a two‑part recreation project that will replace its aging skate park with a brand‑new venue and convert the old site into eight new pickleball courts.
The original skate park, located near Memorial Park, closed on May 10 as its concrete surface had become “well beyond its useful life,” said Community Services Director Nick Cliche. Construction on the new pickleball courts began on May 26, and the town expects the courts to open in mid‑July. The eight courts will sit next to the two existing courts in the same area, where demand has long outstripped supply.
“We’re looking to expand recreational opportunities and make the best use of public space,” Cliche explained. “Players consistently use the two existing pickleball courts, and people often have to wait to use them. By adding more courts, we’ll alleviate the pressure on the existing facilities and keep the sport’s momentum growing.”
The new skate park will be built adjacent to Wentworth School, near the tennis courts. Construction on this larger project is slated to begin in the fall, with the town aiming for completion before the end of the year. Cliche noted that seasonal constraints on asphalt and concrete work limit the town’s options, and a delay would cost more money.
The town’s budget reflects the scale of the effort: $280,000 has been earmarked for the new skate park and $100,000 for the pickleball courts. The first allocation appeared in the 2024 budget to repair the old park, and the following year’s budget expanded the plan to rebuild and relocate the skate park while adding the new courts.
Some residents have expressed concern that the project simply replaces one sport with another. In response, Scarborough officials created a dedicated webpage on the town site to explain the plans and answer questions. The page also hosts a forum for community input.
The project has received support from the Maine Skateboard Association, whose board chair Tobias Parkhurst said the organization will help with design and fundraising. “We really want it to be accessible regardless of socioeconomic status or access to equipment,” Parkhurst said. “The skateboarding community is underserved and underrepresented compared to other sports. The average age of skateboarders is between 12 and 16, and those kids don’t always have a voice at budget meetings.”
Parkhurst added that the association has helped fund and design skate parks in other Maine communities, including Augusta, Farmington, Waterville, and Brunswick.
Community members interested in the new skate park can share their thoughts at a public engagement meeting scheduled for June 25 at 5 p.m. in the Public Safety Building. The planning board will review the park’s concept plan on Monday during its meeting at Town Hall.
As the town balances the needs of skateboarders, pickleball players, and other recreation seekers, the dual‑project approach reflects Scarborough’s goal of maximizing public space and keeping its residents active and engaged outdoors.
