PUTNAM — The recent skate jam, awareness on the need for a new skate park and $600 was raised.

The Putnam Skatepark played host to a skate jam which set out to raise awareness toward future efforts to construct a new Skatepark.

While the skate jam was primarily organized to create awareness, nearly100 people were there to support, and $600 was raised in the form of donations, concession sales, and raffles.

Larger fund-raising efforts are currently being worked on, as well as grant applications, and with the help and support of our community a new Skatepark can surely become a reality. For more information and upcoming events, please visit the Putnam Skatepark Committee’s Facebook page. At: facebook.com/putnamskateparkcommittee 

Donations may also be sent to the Putnam Town Hall, 126 Church St., Putnam, CT 06260.

According to Joe Derrico of the Putnam Skatepark Committee 2014, for many years, the facility has served as a great place for people to stay active and make friends, but its design has become outdated and its condition weathered. Skateparks in Connecticut and around the world have proven to be incredibly positive for their entire community, providing new traffic for local businesses and a safe place for kids to exercise and practice their creativity.

Derrico said the plan is to start from scratch at the park’s current location next to the town’s tennis courts on Church Street and build a much more modern, larger park.