EASTHAMPTON — The Easthampton Skatepark Initiative continues to make its push to bring an all-wheels park to Millside Pond, seeking donations to raise the final $85,000 needed for construction.
“Our goal is to raise at least $60,000 by the end of June. The park will be medium-sized and offer opportunities for beginners to learn and experienced riders to demonstrate their skills. If we exceed our fundraising goal, we may be able to expand the park or add features such as lighting or shade structures,” Eddie Comini, an original member of the Easthampton Skatepark Initiative, said in a statement.
The group of volunteers began there efforts in 2019, when they started working closely with city officials to identify a location. After settling on Millside Park in September 2024, the group has been making a large funding push. The skatepark project is an official city initiative in partnership with the Parks and Recreation Department and Commission.
“This is a great project for the city of Easthampton, and it will provide an important alternative to organized sports. I have supported these efforts since 2005, when the initial plans for Millside Park included a skatepark,” Mayor Salem Derby said in a statement.
The location was previously home to the David MacDonald Memorial Skatepark, which was dismantled in 2004, unbeknownst to the MacDonald family. David MacDonald died 28 years ago in a car crash.
At the City Council’s Sept. 3, 2025 meeting, David’s father Bob MacDonald spoke out expressing his strong desire to revive the park in its former location. At that meeting, the council approved of $250,000 from Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds toward the project.
The project has also received a $425,000 grant from a state Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) program. As of September last year, the official opening of the park is slated for the spring of 2027. The project total is estimated at $750,000.
To learn more or to donate, visit the Easthampton Skatepark Initiative website.
Dog park plans make progress
EASTHAMPTON — The city has another long-awaited project in the works making progress. The City Council unanimously approved $23,500 in CPA money for designs to be finalized for the city’s dog park initiative, which has been ramping up efforts to bring a park to Nonotuck Park.
“Anyone around in Easthampton civic life for the last decade or so has probably been very aware that there is a very persistent effort to get a dog park in Easthampton,” Precinct 3 Councilor Thomas Peake said at the council’s Feb. 4 meeting. “That’s faced a lot of setbacks but they’ve got a location and they need to do a design.”
On top of the CPA funds, the Friends of the Easthampton Dog Park are contributing a $2,500 match toward design costs. These funds allow for the creation of a construction bid-ready design.
The CPA Committee and Finance Committee both voted unanimously to approve the appropriation.
“They have an architect lined up it and it seems all to be in good order. As councilor Peake said it was unanimous,” said CPA Coordinator and Conservation Agent Eva Gerstle, at the meeting.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $360,000, a number that the group continues to work toward, especially after a $200,000 donation from a Southampton resident.
The group will continue to raise funds to reach that goal, and is currently accepting donations. More information can be found at the Easthampton Dog Park website.
Southampton FD to offer free CPR training
SOUTHAMPTON — The Southampton Fire Department is hosting a free community CPR and first aid training session at Town Hall on Valentine’s Day, Saturday, Feb 14.
The event will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. and no registration is required. The class will teach adult and pediatric, hands-only CPR, how to use an AED and other skills to know in life-saving emergency situations.
“When a person has a cardiac arrest, survival depends on immediately receiving CPR from someone nearby,” a Facebook post from the Southampton Fire Department states. “Early CPR can double or even triple a persons chance of survival. CPR buys valuable time until EMS arrives. Learning these valuable skills could potentially save a bystander or a loved one.”
Any questions can be directed to Chief Richard Fasoli at firechief@southampton.org.
EHS mobile polar plunge
EASTHAMPTON — The Easthampton High School Student Council is hosting a mobile polar plunge event to raise money for the Massachusetts Special Olympics, on Thursday, Feb. 12.
The event will take place outside Easthampton High School and check-in starts at 2:30 p.m. for members of the public. The fundraising website is asking those who want to participate to preregister for the event.
For those who are not a fan of the cold, donations are still welcome on the website.
Southampton Dems to meet
SOUTHAMPTON — Town Democrats are invited to take part in a Southampton Democratic Committee election on Saturday Feb. 21, 2026.
The group will convene at the Southampton Town Hall at 9:30 a.m. to elect four delegates and four alternates to represent the town at the 2026 Massachusetts State Democratic Convention.
The 2026 Convention will be in person at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass. on Fri., May 29, and Sat., May 30. Registered and pre-registered Democrats in Southampton, who are 16 years old by Sat., March 29 this year, may vote and be elected.
The group advises those interested in getting involved with the Southampton Democratic Committee to contact Janet Cain at southamptonmadems@gmail.com.