Riverhead Skate Park

Riverhead Town will dedicate the skate park at Stotzky Park in the memory of a recently deceased skater who more than a decade ago changed the minds of Town Board members — and the future of the skate park — through the power of advocacy.

Damage to the skate park's infrastructure was more extensive than either the parks department or the repair company anticipated. Total repairs costs are now estimated at around $90,000, up from $49,000.

Years of neglect and lack of maintenance left Riverhead Skate Park in such a state of disrepair that last spring, town officials decided it was no longer safe to use.

Riverhead’s parks are in such disrepair that portions of them are being shut down – but the town doesn’t have the money to fix them.

"Every year it just got worse and worse," said Ray Coyne, director of the town's recreation department. The park was shut down at the beginning of the year, and it's still awaiting repair.