Politics & Government

New Skate Park Ordinance Passed in Point Boro

Still no portable toilet, benches or sign with rules

A new ordinance governing the use of the newly re-opened skate park was adopted unanimously by the Borough Council on Tuesday night.

Now plans need to be finalized to move in a portable toilet to help decrease the potential for public urination, which was one of the primary complaints against the skate park before it was closed last year.

And a sign listing the rules still needs to be finished and posted.

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There was a re-opening for the park on Sunday, which went mostly well, with Councilman Chris Goss and other volunteers manning the entry gate to have skaters sign release forms and make sure they had helmets.

Those 18 and older do not have to wear helmets, according to state law.

Find out what's happening in Point Pleasantwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

However, on Monday, Goss said there were two skaters who were not obeying all the rules.

"They were told they would not be welcome at other event days," Goss said.

The park is now 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.

The governing body has designed the regulations to ensure kids are not merely hanging around the park; spectators are banned inside the park fence.

Other rules include:

  • All skaters must have a permit from the Recreation Department. They have to sign release forms to get them and would have to pay $5 to replace them.
  • 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, beverages and glass containers 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.
  • Knee, elbow and wrist bands are required for skaters 10 and younger.
  • Wearing head phones 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 park will be largely unsupervised, with police responding when called.

Police can eject specific skaters from the park, issue summonses, confiscate skate boards or close the park if they feel they have good reason to do so.


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