SALEM — Selectmen gave the go-ahead last night to draft plans, not only for a new skateboard park, but also tennis courts, a basketball court and even horseshoe pits at Hedgehog Park.
"I'm excited about the broader prospect of re-energizing Hedgehog Park," said Selectman Michael Lyons.
Last night, Recreation Director Chris Dillon unveiled the latest proposed location for a skateboard park, which officials have been planning since 2004.
The $30,000 skate park — already paid for — was originally expected to be at Field of Dreams on Geremonty Drive. But the proposed spot's proximity to wetlands led officials to change plans several times. Now, the skate park is expected to be completed by next spring.
Before last night, the latest site was town land behind Wal-Mart.
"Wal-Mart didn't quite like the idea of having a skate park in their backyard," said Selectman Patrick Hargreaves, who had been championing the plan.
Now, Dillon, Hargreaves and the Recreation Advisory Committee propose a spot in Hedgehog Park, at 53 Lowell Road, as part of a larger plan to revitalize the seldom-used, tree-shrouded beach.
Dillon, who began his tenure as Salem's recreation director last year, said he was reluctant at first to choose Hedgehog Park because it has so many trees and is dimly lit.
Hargreaves described the park less generously.
"If you drive into it, you're driving into the abyss. You're driving into the dark wasteland that's in Salem," he said.
Needless to say, both Dillon and Hargreaves advocate clearing some of the trees to make the park and beach more welcoming.
That's something the board's chairwoman, Beth Roth, said she would support as well.
"I'm pretty much a tree hugger myself, but I totally agree that the trees have to be thinned out," she said.
Dillon also said he would like to see the town embrace its original plan for Hedgehog Park, which included tennis courts and other facilities.
And last night, the selectmen gave Dillon permission to draw up plans for what the park should include, and how the town could pay for additional facilities.
But, Dillon said, "I see the skate park as being the primary thing."
Even before the skate park is built, the selectmen would like to see the town take steps to make Hedgehog Park more attractive.
Dillon has been given authority to have dead trees and brush cleared from the park. And, as a trial for several weeks, the selectmen plan to keep the park's front gate open all the time. The gate is generally open on summer days, but closed the rest of the year.
"We made it very unfriendly. That gate is locked a substantial portion of the time," Selectman Arthur Barnes said.
Everett McBride Jr., another selectman, agreed.
"I mean, what park do you go to that has a gate?" he said. "Matter of fact, I'll go up there and take it down tomorrow."
McBride decided not to remove the gate himself when Dillon said he would leave it open.
