Point Pleasant Borough Skate Park Set to Re-Open May 1

Area skaters can dust off their boards and look forward to shredding the ramps and rails at the Point Pleasant Borough Skate Park, which will re-open on May 1.

The Borough Council has authorized the Point Pleasant Skate Club to hold a demonstration and competition from 2 to 6 p.m. May 1 that Councilman Christopher Goss promises will be a "nice afternoon."

Members of local skate clubs will show off their skills at the re-opening, which also will feature music and food as well as a "number of contests and prizes," Goss said.

Skaters also will have use of the park under rules and regulations designed to avoid some of the problems that have plagued the park in the past. The facility, located at the north corner of McKennan Lake Field on Route 88, initially opened in 2006 but was shuttered last year amid complaints of noise and vandalism.

Revised regulations unanimously introduced at a council meeting Tuesday night will be finally adopted at the governing body's 7 p.m. May 3 meeting, although the borough can still meet the May 1 date.

"You can open the park whenever you want under whatever restrictions you want," Administrator David Maffei told council members Tuesday. Maffei noted that the park is fully insured.

Borough Council initially had introduced an ordinance enumerating rules and regulations earlier this month but had to re-introduce the legislation after changes were made to the ordinance. 

Goss said the area skaters who always played by the rules were ill-served by the few who created problems at the facility.

"The vast majority of the kids that used that park deserve it and really benefit from it," he said today.

The councilman said troublemakers will not be tolerated.

"Enforcement hinges on permits," Goss said. 

All those who use the skate park, an unsupervised facility, must acquire a free permit from the Recreation Department which they must display when using the park. Permits will be issued to residents and non-residents alike, and those who lose it face a $5 replacement fee. Prior permits are still usable, Goss said, but those in need of a permit can stop by the Recreation Department, 1001 River Ave., to fill out a necessary risk management form.

Rules, Penalties

The governing body has designed the regulations to ensure kids are not merely hanging around the park; spectators are banned. Additionally, the park will re-open on a limited basis, usable from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays during the school year. Kids will have extended hours during the summer, when the park will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays.

Among the rules:

• Helmets are required at all times;
• Those younger than 10 must be accompanied by a "responsible adult;"
• Bicycles and scooters are banned, as are personal ramps or any other modifications to skate park facilities;
• Food and beverages are banned;
• Smoking, drugs and alcohol are banned, as is profanity;
• Radios and headphones are banned;
• Vandalism, graffiti and the placement of "unauthorized stickers" is prohibited.

Goss said "kids causing problems" will have their permits revoked. However, violators could find themselves in more trouble, depending on their transgression.

The ordinance notes that enforcement rests with the Police Department, and those who violate any provisions of the rules can be fined $50 on a first offense and up to $300 on subsequent offenses, in addition to being expelled from the park. 

The rules and regulations will be posted on-site. Councilman Mitch Remig said Tuesday that the Department of Public Works will have signage ready by the May 1 opening.

Tutoring Sessions

Goss hopes the skate park can be a fun outlet for older and younger kids alike and has helped organize various tutoring sessions designed for beginning skaters.

The Borough Council has authorized sessions from 9 to 10 a.m. May 7, 14, 21, 28 and June 4, 11, 18, and 25 to be run by the Point Pleasant Skate Club.

Goss said the sessions are open to kids 12 and younger who can take advantage of older skaters' knowledge without feeling like they have to compete for space with the more experienced teens.

"They can work on their tricks and skills" without embarrassment or pressure, Goss said.

"It's a good chance to have the place for themselves and benefit from the older kids," the councilman said.

For more information on permits, contact the Recreation Department at 732-892-5813 or visit the borough's website.