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City presents plan for new Quantis skate park; board holds hearing under RSA 674:54
Summary
Parks staff and consultants described a proposed ~20,400 ft² skate park at Quanis Park and invited public feedback under RSA 674:54. The board took comments on wetlands, lighting, parking, access and phasing; because the hearing was advisory under RSA 674:54, no board vote was required.
City parks staff and consultants presented a concept for a relocated and enlarged skate park at Quanis Park during the Planning Board’s March 16 meeting, and the board opened a public hearing under RSA 674:54 to gather feedback.
David Gild, the city’s parks and recreation director, and civil engineer Eric Gerard described the project as an expansion and move of the existing skate amenities into the old fire training grounds area. The conceptual proposal includes a roughly 20,000–20,400 ft² skateboard facility, limited on‑site improvements, lighting for visibility in the skate area, accessible parking spaces and minor roadway work for access. The work is being advanced in phases as part of a larger waterfront master plan and the current application covers only the skate‑park portion.
Staff emphasized this stage is review and public comment only: under RSA 674:54 the board opens a hearing to provide feedback but takes no land-use action tonight. Board members and members of the public asked about wetlands and the proposed 50‑foot buffer, how the design addresses a low‑quality wetland near the site, tree removal and replacement, lighting and whether power would be available for lights. Gild said the skate‑park firm helping to design the feature is based in California and the city had secured a grant to fund the skate park portion of the work.
Board members pressed staff on parking and operations during events, noting seasonal demands from the adjacent arena and festivals. The applicant said the full master plan was being advanced separately and that this phase will include limited new pavement only for accessible spaces, with most current informal parking retained but reformatted and improved for drainage and safety.
Neighbors and advisory board representatives were invited to comment; no major opposition was recorded at the hearing. The planning board closed the RSA 674:54 hearing after receiving comment and will forward any suggestions to the project team as part of the design and permitting process. Because this is an advisory hearing under RSA 674:54, no formal approval or denial was required or recorded at the meeting.
Next steps: designers will incorporate feedback into a final design and return for permitting and required approvals when the project advances to construction-ready plans.
