The ‘Golden Bowl’ should be turned into something that gets kids outside, brings people together, and actually reflects the needs of Belmont’s youth.
A skate park would do just that. Well-designed skate parks aren’t just for skateboarding, but for scooters, rollerblades, BMX bikes, or really any human-powered wheeled vehicles. They create a designated spot for kids and teens to practice tricks and stay active and engaged in the real world rather than glued to screens. As someone who goes to skate parks, I have personally seen how they create community. I make new friends practically every time I ride my bike at skate parks.
Some have suggested a garden instead, but why can’t we have both? A well-designed skate park can include green space with native plants, seating, and landscaping elements that make it feel welcoming to everyone, even people who don’t skate. However, as a teen, a pollinator garden alone won’t offer the same kind of draw, engagement, or impact for our town’s youth. On top of that, a garden in a pit that floods every time it rains might not be a very successful garden. A skate park with a drainage system could solve this.
The reason you don’t see kids skating in Belmont isn’t because they don’t want to—it’s because there’s nowhere to skate. I have personally seen skate parks packed with people in nearby communities like Allston, Watertown, Somerville, and Boston. Let’s give kids in Belmont a place to skate, too.
Ben Dowers, Fairview Avenue