Lynches give $500,000 for skate park construction

by John C. Drake, Globe Staff  |  October 18, 2007

Budding Tony Hawks could soon be nailing kickflips under the Zakim-Bunker Hill Bridge thanks to Boston philanthropists Peter and Carolyn Lynch, who have pledged $500,000 toward the construction of a skate park.

The challenge grant, contingent on the Charles River Conservancy raising $100,000 more from other donors, will bring fund-raising for the $2.3 million project to more than $2 million.

Ground-breaking is planned for next spring on land in Cambridge that Big Dig construction made available along the Charles River, said Renata von Tscharner, president of the Charles River Conservancy, the nonprofit shepherding the project.

"We still need to raise a bit more money, and we will continue to reach out to foundations and individuals, but we feel this big gift really tells everybody this is happening.

"Of the 35 foundations we approached, only one of them had ever given to a skate park," von Tscharner said. "It involved a lot of education about what is skateboarding and how wonderful it is for young people."

The conservancy plans to acknowledge the Lynches' grant today with a luncheon overlooking the park site, attended by the mayors of Cambridge and Boston.
Skate park designer Zack Wormhoudt collaborated with local skaters to create the layout, which will include features similar to those at the Copley Square fountain and Boston Medical Center, popular destinations for skaters. The 24-hour park will accommodate recreation like skateboarding, in-line skating, and BMX biking.

Originally published in The Boston Globe, October 18, 2007.

Copyright © 2007 The New York Times Company. Reprinted with permission.