Concrete donation paves the way for new Middleboro skate park

MIDDLEBORO — The budget for the Middleboro skate park construction will go $50,000 further after a donation from the Byrne Sand and Gravel company.

Town Manager James McGrail announced the company recently pledged to donate all of the concrete and base materials needed to construct the park at 48 Wareham St at the Monday, Dec. 15 Select Board meeting.

“This generous donation allows us to do a lot of additional work in the park within our existing budget, so I'm really happy,” McGrail said. 

After an initial conversation with the owners, McGrail said he expected them to donate one or two trucks’ worth of concrete. However, they quickly decided to donate enough to pave the entire project.

In exchange, he said the Byrnes asked the town to memorialize family members who have passed away.

“They've had some tragic loss in the last few years related to the Byrns family, and they're really a pillar of our community. So eventually, I'd like to put up a sign on the property that the donation was made in memory of that family,” he said.

While materials have not yet been purchased for the construction, McGrail said the town had allocated $50,000 to sourcing and pouring concrete. Because it will not have to spend that money on supplies, he said Middleboro can now use those funds for additional aspects of the project it may not have otherwise been able to afford. 

The future park will be constructed on the former site of the Department of Public Works. When the department relocated in 2021, the town determined the most cost-effective way to install a new skate park would be to demolish the previous building and construct it there.

According to concept plans shared by town officials, the skate park will include half-pipes, rails, a bowl and other ramps and features for skateboarders, bikers and scooter riders. A parking lot will also be constructed adjacent to the facility.

“This town is so lucky,” McGrail said. “The Byrne Sand and Gravel company is donating all of the concrete for what is a massive concrete pour — it's just amazing.”