PORTSMOUTH Thanks in large part to the efforts of a small group of high school students, Portsmouth may soon see a new skate park at the city stump dump.
Portsmouth High School seniors Seamus Durkin and Oliver Sieve worked with City Councilor Esther Kennedy and others to help win support for a new skate park.
Those efforts – which were helped by City Councilor Deglan McEachern and longtime skateboard enthusiast Dave Cosgrove – led to an endorsement of the idea by the City Council Monday.
The council unanimously approved a motion for City Manager Karen Conard to put out a request for proposals (RFP) to build and pay for a skate park and recreation field at the stump dump, which is located off Route 33.
The winners of Portsmouthâs holiday lights contest have been named.
Holiday artistry aficionado Al Bailey won in the best overall display category, Jane Sprague won for most creative display and Nicole Beyer won best classic light display.
Those top three winners will receive $500 gift cards donated by Ricci Lumber, Home Depot or Loweâs.
The contest, which had 76 entries, was decided by children and teenagers in the city.
âOur judges were absolutely delighted with driving around the city,â Larry Cataldo, Portsmouth Citywide Neighborhood Committeeâs transitional chair, said during the virtual city council meeting on Monday.
âWe had 10 judges from the age of 21 months to 18 years of age, and the 21-month person, incidentally, when she saw something that was really outstanding, she kind of went crazy, according to the parents.â