Skateboard Park Reopens
Published on September 8th, 1999
STONEHAM, MA - "They gave us a park, now they closed it. Why don't they make up their minds?"
That was the sentiment ex-pressed last week by Paul Gualtieri and his friends when the Independent caught up with the teens on the steps of the Town Hall. The recent closing of the skateboard park on Pomeworth Street was clearly on their minds.
"Where else are we supposed to go? I was going to sneak in the other day, but the other kids said you'll get arrested," eleven-year-old Lewis Corapi said.
Good news, guys. The park is open again for business.
Following a meeting last Wednesday with skateboarders, parents and Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting, the problems that prompted the park's closing along with ideas for resolution were discussed and the park reopened on Thursday.
Much needed repairs to the skateboarding structures closed the park a week and a half ago, but complaints from nearby residents regarding persistent noise, after hours use, foul language, litter and graffiti, prompted Nutting to keep it closed until those problems could be addressed.
The closing did spark attention, and indeed disappointment for many park users, though only a handful were on hand on Wednesday night.
"If you're here at the meeting, you're not the problem... you're part of the solution," Nutting said.
"Can the town find a way to meet the needs of both (the neighbors and the skateboarders)?," he asked. "We need your help. We're open to suggestions."
Damage to the park was considerable, according to Nut-ting, and largely caused by bicycles. Despite posted signs to the contrary, some park users have been riding bikes on the structures which can not accommodate such weight.
Nutting stated that the town will try to reduce noise from the structures by installing cushioning material under the fixtures and boarding up open sides.
"You can't eliminate it, but if we could knock off 10 to 20 percent, it might take the edge off," said Nutting.
Both Nutting and Stoneham Police Officer Ed Apalakis urged park users to call the police if they see kids riding bikes or abusing the park in other ways. Many park patrons know the names of those breaking the rules and Nutting stressed the importance of giving the police those names.
Apalakis advised that for those who refuse to obey the park's rules, the police will confiscate the offenders' bikes or skateboards which will then only be released to parents.
"Use your judgement," Nut-ting urged. "We don't want you to jeopardize your health and safety by getting into words with someone." He added that a call to the police does not have to be immediate. "Call when you get home."
"No one's going to jail here," he assured.
With regard to the problems of foul language, litter and graffiti, Nutting urged the youth who use the park to take on some of the responsibility necessary to keep the park open and successful.
"Be on your best behavior," he stressed.
Nutting also said that the Department of Public Works will make twice weekly trips to the park to empty trash cans, but skaters should also pick up after themselves and their peers as necessary.
Police will make their presence known by driving by the site more frequently, as manpower allows.
The park will remain open through the fall "until the first snow flies," or until the weekend after Thanksgiving, according to Nutting. The hours of operation are 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. The six o'clock closing, (which might be switched to five o'clock when it gets dark earlier in late October or November), he said, would allow the park's neighbors to sit down to a quiet meal.
"But we need people to respect that," he stated, adding that hopping the fence when the park is closed is not acceptable. "It's just unbearable for some of the residents."
One parent, who claimed to spend much time at the park with his children, supported the six o'clock closing.
"I think those people deserve peace and quiet. I'm glad you're shutting it at six."
Eighteen-year-old David Armsden suggested that communication between the town and the skateboarders could use improvement.
"No one knew why it was closed...so they hopped the fence. Until today, no one knew what was going on."
The kids hanging out on the Town Hall steps had their own take on the issue and stated that more interest from police and neighbors would only help the problems.
Thirteen-year-old Billy Jack-son said "Kids (hang out) there and smoke stuff. If the cops drove by and scared them off, there would be fewer problems for us."
"The neighbors don't talk to us. They don't want us. They just call the cops. They have the wrong image. Were not bad kids just because we skateboard," said twelve-year-old Steve Cotter.
Stoneham Police Safety Officer Larry Rotund also urged parents to take responsibility for the park.
"I think the parents should get down there, too."
Apalakis echoed that sentiment, stating "We have parents involved in soccer. They should be involved here, too."
Another parent praised Stoneham's action last November when it first opened the park and encouraged other parents to get involved in monitoring the site.
"These are 12 to 17-year-old boys...If they were idle...they could get into anything...I'm glad Stoneham did this," she said.
Interested parents should call the Town Administrator's office for information on monitoring the park. Nutting stated that monitors might also be used for opening and/or closing the park at the posted hours.
With the town, skateboarders and parents working together, Nutting said that the park should be successful.
"We'd like to keep it open. We'd like to add another fixture eventually."
One suggestion made on Wednesday was to move the park (the structures are portable) to a location previously requested by the Skate-board Park Committee. The site of the old tennis courts at Stoneham High School was highlighted as an advantageous location for the skateboard park during feasibility discussions last year. Its out-of-the-way location would likely not burden any residents with noise, but the school administration rejected the idea, claiming that it had plans for that land.
Since the lands has remained as is for some time, an audience member requested that a move to the high school be revisited at least on a temporary basis. Nutting replied that even if that was an option, nothing would happen until spring.
"The biggest concern for the next three months is at 6 p.m., people leave...I think that will go a long way to make the neighbors happy," said Nutting.
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