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[simbarel]

Yesterday I found a flyer in my mailbox addressing a skate park proposed by the city to be established about 1/8th of a mile from my house. The street where I live has a 5 acre park on it (soccer, public swimming pool, defunct tennis courts, 3 baseball fields) and since the Dept of Transportation is taking over the current skate park, city council has decided to put it where the defunct tennis courts are. They're defunct because the city didn't take care of them, who's to say they'll take care of the new, UGLY, skate park and I'm also concerned because we live next to an intimidating path (lots of foliage perfect for hiding and attacking...since we've moved here I've found two unattended shopping carts down there! ) which links to these courts.

I think it's important to provide the city's youth with resources, but there are plenty of other non-residential places where they could reestablish the skate park, and skating seems to me to be an activity that lures those who are lured by danger and high-paced action. Am I being a prude? I'm actually frightened and I'm really annoyed that the input from the homeowners of this street remains unasked for. At the request of the flyer in my mailbox I emailed city council and parks & rec, but I'm afraid it'll end up with the others in a circular file.

Do you live near a skate park? The flyer says it will decrease our home values. I'm mostly concerned about safety...afterall, my end of the street already has enough issues. Have you ever challenged city hall? Any results?

[GoofyMom]

I know this is long but I have a point. Keep reading and you'll see it.

There was a young boy in Winnipeg who died while skating in an unsafe area and his family has been fund-raising for the past 3 years or so to build a skate park basically at the end of our street. Maybe things are different in our neighbourhood than in yours, but I feel no threat at all from it. I am actually welcoming the idea so it will get the skaters out of the parking lot at the mall. I personally find that much more threatening.

However, that doesn't mean that I'm saying you are a prude! If you are scared, then you definitely need to voice your opinion. Who put out the flyer? Is it somebody trying to organize a community resistance to the skate park? If so, I would join them and keep emailing City Hall. Do Americans have City Councillors that are elected by the residents like we have here? If so, contact your Councillor! You are a tax payer and deserve to be listened to. Have it brought up at a council meeting and make sure that your concerns are heard.

[simbarel]

Thanks Donna...I've emailed the city councilor and the director of parks and recreation. I assume we'll be contacted by the flyer's writer in the future (there was no name, but I assume it's someone from one of the maybe 25 houses on this street.) I was just really taken aback by some of the newspaper articles that quoted the councilors and they were just so matter-of-factly stating that it was going there. I do consider us lucky to be a town with a skate park because it does keep the kids off the street and away from the parking lots, but there are other non-residential fields and areas in this town that were proposed...and the fact that they were so quickly dropped from the running makes it SO OBVIOUS that they are "too nice" to hold a skate park, and that just burns me up. This field and our houses reside in the middle of an unconventional mix of industrialness and middle class homes, so I guess it looks like a nice relatively safe space for skaters, but.... I do plan on following this through. For what it's worth, Wally isn't as bothered by this as I am. Perhaps I need to put a little more faith into the skating community. (I admit...I haven't known any since high school. But the ones I knew then...........I suppose that's where my fear stems.)

[poohmaine]

The skate park in Windham is a huge success. Now there is a safe place to skateboard and inline skate. It keeps them off the streets which is safer for you and them. Most important, it gives them something to do and somewhere to go . . . when kids don't have anything to do is when they get in trouble.

If you are concerned, perhaps you can request it be open only certain hours, etc. I do think you are overreacting when you say you are frightened. Kids who skateboard are no more likely to be troublemakers than any other group of kids. In my experience, they are responsible, fun, and supportive of the younger kids just learning the sport.

[clio]

We have a skate park as part of the city park wher the pool and tennis courts are. It's a nice safe place for the kids with skateboards to go. Before that, they were in the streets doing stunts and that was definately not safe. Most of the kids that use it are young -I'd say ealy middle school age. I'f rather have them there than in the middleof the street. I don't know how it is in Maine, but over here we have city council meetings were both sides can speech their piece before deciding whether or not to do something and they usually listen.
Liz

[simbarel]

Yeah, that's cool. Perhaps the flyer got me a little wound up. Good kids or not, I think it will change our street. I'll keep an eye out for council meetings and keep an open mind. But I STILL think it should go someplace less residential.

[Shadowfax]

It may change your street, but it may not be for the worse!

I teach high school English in a western Maine mill town. I see my fair share of all kinds of kids. My skater students would love to have a skate park to use, and I would welcome it in my neighborhood.

Some of the skaters that I have had are slackers, true. But, the majority of them are nice kids who just want a place to skate and not get into trouble. In fact, they will probably clean up that path you were talking about, because they love their sport and want to have a place to continue doing what they love. I really doubt that they would do anything to jeopardize their park.

You have a right to speak your mind, of course. But don't be too judgemental until you meet the kids who will be frequenting the park. Maybe you might want to go to the old skate park, and check it out.

BTW, my parents live in Portland, as does my brother. They are both quite close to you! I used to swim in the pool in the park near your house!

[kimdisneynut]

Kim

[snoozy]

I live in a very small town, with about 2100 residents. I only wish we had a skate park. The kids here have nothing to do. We have a lot of them who are into skating and it would be nice if they had somewhere to go.

One of the bigger towns not to far from us put in a skate park a few years ago. They had the same concerns you did. Concerned citizens volunteered to do a neighborhood watch type thing at the parks so the kids would have a safe place to be.

[rescuesk]

I would also be concerned that the author of the flyer remains anonymous. I feel very strongly for "having the courage of your convictions", in other words, if you are for or against something, please speak up! If this person has an issue with a skate park being built, they should make an affort to contact the neighbors with factual information, not just vague innuendos on paper.

that it gets sorted out for you in a positive way!

[BabieeMelly]

There are tons of skate parks in the city, and the skater kids are the last ones anyone needs to worry about I'm friends with a lot of "skaters" and they're good kids who are just into extreme sports. I wouldn't worry about any safety issues However, if you think it will change the look or feel of your street, I would try to challenge it.

[Happymommy]

Remember the source of info about the value of your home-- the flyer written by people that don't want the skate park told you the value of your home would go down. That may not be the case. They are trying to get you to take action against it, and most people's main concern (when it comes to the neighborhood) is the value of one's home. No, I don't think you are a prude, but I do think skate parks are necessary, especially since skateboarding is prohibited from most public places. I also think your wrong that skateboarding is performed by people who crave danger. I taught alot of really nice kids that loved to skate board. My husband also was a skater in high school-- and he was never in trouble or caused trouble. I think if you really feel uncomfortable with it, you should definitely voice your opinion, but I don't think you should worry about it too much either.