Season without a skate park a blow to kids' dreams

At one of several meetings held last winter, the Department of Parks and Recreation were presented, upon request, three quotes to put up a skate park. At this meeting, information was presented that included comparison pictures of skate parks in Middlesex County and quotes from companies who installed their ramps or were competitors. Those who attended the meetings were under the assumption that the department was seriously considering a skate park and would get back to us and let us know about where one could be put up, and how the finances could be approached. When they mentioned that there was not money left at that time, and that we would probably have to wait, we told them that we would be very happy to start fundraising. We were told that they would get back to us. We have waited months for an answer, and skate companies have been trying to contact the department to get a clear decision. We were surprised to see two articles, one claiming that there is no money for a skate park, and one that now they have decided to offer a shuttle service to the least-used and closest skate park in our area. This is really just a tactic to get the skaters to go away and keep quiet. Each skater who attended a meeting felt that he was being heard by our local government, and that someone would try and do something. How sad for them to hear that our department was not really serious after all and was only trying to pacify them. Were they hoping that the problem would go away?

Well, these kids are growing up, and each season without a skate park is a big blow to their dreams. Is it too much to ask for our athletes to be taken care of as well as our soccer players and footballers? If soccer parents had to take their children to another town to play all the time, I'm sure they would be upset. If their children were being arrested for playing on school property, they would make sure things changed to benefit their children. What are skaters' parents supposed to do? Do you think this sport is less worthy than the others represented in our town? Other towns do not think so. Most of them realized a long time ago that this was a valid sport and that interest in skating was not going to go away. They realized that they had better accommodate their residents or they would regret it. Why can't our town do the same?

Melissa Constantinou

North Brunswick