By Beth David, Editor
The BMX pump track at Macomber & Pimental Park in Fairhaven got a top notch asphalt re-do recently. On Saturday, 9/19/26, officials and BMX enthusiasts, volunteers, kids, parents, and neighbors, enjoyed a variety of fun events at an official ribbon cutting ceremony.
Mike Rotondo, who spearheaded the original, smaller dirt track, thanked a long list of people from the early days of the dirt track, to the present day.
He said he was pleasantly surprised when the Board of Public Works was so supportive of the idea.
“We should be stoked that we pulled this off,” said Mr. Rotondo.
He remembered the first time he went in front of the BPW expecting resistance and instead he got support, especially from board member Robert “Hoppy” Hobson, which surprised Mr. Rotondo. Mr. Hobson said the park was the most underutilized in town and he was happy to see it used.
Mr. Rotondo also thanked the Community Preservation Committee appropriating the funds, and the community for being mostly supportive. Although, he said, there are few haters.
State Rep. Mark Sylvia said the project was a true example of how a community can come together to get something positive done.
He said the track will bring a lot of people to “our wonderful town.”
“We’ve got to do more this,” he said.
Mr. Hobson made sure to remind everyone why the park was named Macomber and Pimental. He said three preteen boys, two Macombers and one Pimental, went out on a skiff into Jack’s Cover and drowned. It happened in th 1960s when Mr. Hobson was still on the police force. He said it was appropriate that the park is being used by the right people and the kids.
BMX rider Andrew Stadnik said the new track was “cool” and a lot of hard work went into it. He would not give his age, just said he was “old,” and said he has been riding since he was a “little tot.”
Mr. Stadnik does not live in Mass. but grew up here. He said he was visiting family and the timing just worked out.
“I will be doing some biking,” he said.
Marsha Becker made the observation that the activity on the track included very young children as well as adults.
Dave King of DirtSculpt, which designed and built the track, said it was about a medium sized track compared to what they usually build. His company also creates mountain biking trails, ski trails, and competition jumps.
The day also included refreshments, giveaways, a raffle benefiting cancer patient Genesis Ferreira, and a couple of BMX shows by Eastern Action Sports.
The park is open from dawn until dusk and is located on Bernese Street, off Sconticut Neck Road, in Fairhaven.
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- Fairhaven Public Works Superintendent Vinnie Furtado (holding scissors, left) and volunteer Mike Rotondo, cut the ribbon together at the official opening of the new BMX Pump Track at Macomber and Pimental Park in Fairhaven, on Saturday, 9/19/26. L-R: State Rep. Mark Sylvia; Select Board Chairperson, Andrew Romano; Mr. Furtado; BPW member Marcus Ferro (BACK); Mr. Rotondo; Community Preservation Committee chair, Ann Richard (BACK); BPW chair, Brian Wotton; BPW members, Robert “Hoppy” Hobson and Hillary Rotondo. Photo by Beth David.
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- Riders of different ages use the new BMX Pump Track at Macomber and Pimental Park in Fairhaven, during the grand opening on Saturday, 9/19/26. Photo by Beth David.
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- Some of the younger kids try out the jumps on the new BMX Pump Track at Macomber and Pimental Park in Fairhaven, during the grand opening on Saturday, 9/19/26. Photo by Beth David.
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- A rider with Eastern Action Sports flips upside down during a demonstration at the grand opening of the new BMX Pump Track at Macomber and Pimental Park in Fairhaven on Saturday, 9/19/26. Photo by Beth David.
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- Macomber & Pimental Park in Fairhaven is named after three preteen boys, two Macombers and one Pimental, who drowned after taking a skiff out into Jack’s Cove in the 1960s. Photo by Beth David.
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