WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — As hundreds gathered to celebrate the opening of the town's new skatepark, the minds of many were on the one person they most wished could be in attendance.

 

The park on Stetson Road "officially" opened with a ribbon cutting a little after 2 p.m., two hours after attendees started using their skateboards, bicycles, scooters and rollerblades at the Max Rothschild Memorial Skatepark.

 

And just before the ribbon was cut, Adam Rothschild talked about his 7-year-old son, for whom the venue was named.

 

"As much as Max loved sports and adventure, what really made him special was his exuberance — the exuberance he brought to every day," Rothschild told the crowd. "He approached life with confidence, energy and a sense of fun and mischief that was contagious. He loved playing with [siblings] Ellie and Caleb and with his friends. He was competitive. He could be bossy. And he certainly liked to do things his own way.

 

"But, above all, he was fun to be around. He brought energy and excitement and a lot of love wherever he went.

 

"I think that's what makes this skatepark such a fitting place to honor Max. A skatepark is about more than skateboarding. It is about community and friendship. It's about trying something new, taking a chance, falling down, getting back up and having fun all along the way. It's a place where kids can challenge themselves, cheer each other on and make memories together. And that sounds a lot like Max."

 

The Rothschild family joined organizers who fund-raised to make the park happen and local government officials in a day that included trick competitions, music and food.

 

One of the speakers who addressed the crowd as skaters continued to work on their tricks on a crisp autumn afternoon was Peter Beck, the current chair of the town's Select Board.

 

Beck talked about why the park was so important to Williamstown.

 

"Every town needs places to play," Beck said. "Places to play can be just as important as places to work and places to live. Everybody needs to play. And we've been incredibly lucky in this town to be surrounded by thousands of acres of woods and forests and mountain ranges and trails and river basins. And for people who like to hike and bike and get outside in the woods, we've always had a natural playground right outside our doors. We've also always had really good sports teams in our schools, from the elementary schools all the way through the college.

 

"But, as lucky as we are to have all those recreational opportunities, that still leaves a big gap. It leaves a big gap, especially for middle and high school aged kids and young adults who want to play outside, in town, on their own terms — not necessarily on a team or on a team schedule, not necessarily in a competitive way or to win any thing, but just to be outside and play and be with friends and get really good at a sport or an activity.

 

"This skatepark is for everybody, but it particularly fills that gap."

 

Bill MacEwen, who spearheaded the park through a partnership of the nonprofit Purple Valley Trails and the town of Williamstown, was recognized for the countless hours he spent making the skatepark a reality. MacEwen then used his time at the microphone to single out a few of the people who helped him along the way in that effort.

 

Rep. John Barrett III, D-North Adams, spoke during the ceremony, noted that the skatepark joins the Mohican Trail Multi-Use Path that runs alongside it and the fitness pad it abuts as recreational offerings the town has added in the last few years.

 

Barrett also remembered the park's namesake.

 

"Naming this park for a young man who lost his life at 7 years old, Max Rothschild," Barrett said. "I know the family well. I know what it is to lose a loved one; we all do at some point in time. But this one was tough for the whole town.

 

"And for them to come here today and say this is a testimony, not only the family but this entire community, who stood with them and continue to stand with them now. … Sharing bad with good, I think it says a lot."

 

Photos from this event to come.