Recommended timing for new skateparks pushed back to next decade
Posted July 8, 2026
Residents hoping for new skateparks in Alliston and Tottenham will likely have to wait until the next decade, with a staff report recommending the projects remain on the town's medium-term capital schedule at an estimated cost approaching $1.1 million each.
The report, to be presented to council July 13, recommends it be received and reaffirms the direction contained in the Parks, Trails and Open Spaces Master Plan, which calls for the existing bike and board parks in Alliston and Tottenham to be demolished and replaced between 2030 and 2034.
Staff estimate a modern, community-scale concrete skatepark would cost between $940,000 and $1.1 million in today's dollars, excluding additional amenities such as benches, shade structures and accessible pathways.
The report also notes the town has just $38,043 remaining in its All Wheels Skate Park reserve after council approved the purchase of a mobile pump track in 2025. Council had originally set aside $169,000 toward an All Wheels Skate Park project in 2020, anticipating outside fundraising that never materialized.
Rather than constructing a new regional facility, staff recommend replacing the aging parks within their existing communities while allowing time to evaluate the best locations.
In Alliston, Riverdale Park, the New Tecumseth Recreation Centre greenspace and Fletcher Crescent are identified as sites meeting the town's selection criteria. In Tottenham, the lands surrounding the Tottenham Community Fitness Centre are identified as a suitable option.
The report paints a deteriorating picture of the town's existing facilities. The Alliston skatepark has cracked asphalt, aging ramps and recurring graffiti, while the Tottenham facility has crumbling concrete, extensive cracking and rusting equipment. Beeton's lone half-pipe is described as underused and offering limited recreational value.
Staff are also recommending a different approach for Beeton. Rather than replacing the existing half-pipe with another skatepark, the report calls for consultation with local youth on replacement options, including ninja-warrior-style equipment that could provide a lower-cost, more inclusive recreation space.
Despite the condition of the existing facilities, staff say New Tecumseth currently exceeds the municipal benchmark of one skatepark for every 5,000 youth and is projected to remain above that standard through 2040, supporting the recommendation that replacement projects proceed later in the decade rather than immediately.
Click to read the full report.
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