Skate Park at Gallows Hill
After the death of his friend Ryan Brennan from an in-line skate accident on the street, Tim Lunt vowed to build a skate park for safe skating.
The park honors Ryan Brennan, who was 15 years old when he was hit by a car and killed while in-line skating in 1997.
As part of his Eagle Scout project, Tim Lunt designed a skate park in Gallows Hill Park on top of an old tennis court.
The skate park was named for Brennan in a formal ceremony scheduled for June 30th, his birthday. It is called the Ryan Brennan Memorial Skate Park at Gallows Hill Park.
The skate park is intended to be fun for a range of ages and skill levels for both skateboarders and in-line skates. It should appeal to young and old.
The 20 year old skate park is slated for upgrades in the spring of 2017.
According to the Salem News,"We’ve been working with the Brennan family and a skate park designer on some enhancements to that space,” Driscoll said. “Some of the equipment will be reused, some of the existing materials. ... Then it’ll be some new ramps and features, and the park will be designed in such a way to accommodate progression — so beginners will have an area, and it will get a little harder as you move through the space.”
In 2020, the skate park, which first opened in 2001, has been reconstructed to include a drop-in bowl and other improvements.
See Also
- Vertical File in Salem Collection - Skateboard Park
- "Salem teen turns skate park idea into reality" Salem News, 1997?
- Salem Skate Park Ryan Brennan Memorial Skate Park
- "Salem Parks getting major upgrades" Salem News, June 6, 2017, p. 1
- "Back in action; Skate park opens with new features" Salem News Oct. 21, 2020, p. 1
