The long-awaited opening of Lansdale’s Fourth Street Skatepark came to pass on Friday, as dozens enthusiasts arrived with skateboards, bikes and roller blades in tow.
North Penn Now photographer Bob Kelly spent approximately four hours on location over the weekend, talking to people and snapping up images of the action. Kelly said that he expected to run into a bunch of kids, but instead found people from age 7 through their late 40s, including a group of adults that had been skating together for more than 20 years and who now mentor younger skaters.
Kelly said that guests at the park came from a variety of areas across Montgomery County, including locals from Lansdale to visitors from Phoenixville and Villanova.
On Saturday, Kelly said he approached a woman who was
standing alone at the far end of the park. When he approached, the woman broke
into tears and introduced herself as Pam Saldutti—the widow of longtime
Lansdale Parks and Rec Director Carl Saldutti, who
died in October 2018. Pam said that her husband had been pushing for years
to have the skatepark approved, and he would have been proud of the final
result.
When the skaters realized who Pam was, Kelly said they spoke with her for
several minutes, praising Carl for his work in the borough and eagerly agreeing
to pose for a photo with Pam.
“I could see how proud she was of her husband and the completion of the park,” said Kelly.
For Kelly’s photo gallery from opening weekend, as well as North Penn Now’s prior coverage of the skatepark project, see below.
See also:
Borough Officials Break Ground On Fourth Street Skatepark In Lansdale
Council Approves Bids For Lansdale Skatepark, Work To Begin Next Month
Revamped Lansdale Skate Park Bid Package Readied For Council
Parks And Rec Committee Recommends Re-Engineering Of Lansdale Skatepark Project
Skate Park Bids Rejected By Lansdale Parks And Rec Committee
