(Ed. note. The following was noted in the Park Board minutes of 10-16-2006)
a. Bill Alt representing the Skate Club and four youth were now present. A free-wheeling discussion of problems in Lake Leota Park, suspected to be largely caused by skateboarders and bikers, was held among the citizens, members of the board and staff, and other citizens. The chair reported that Police Chief McElroy said that three arrests have been made in the aftermath of the vandalism at the pool, and more were expected. Those already arrested are expected to be dealt with in Juvenile court proceedings in early November. Hamacher said that he saw some 15-20 boarders in the pool on the day of the damage. Alt said that if there were that many people in the pool, he thought that the police department should be able to identify many more than three suspects and arrest them. He urged that those found guilty be made to pay restitution, a fine, and perform community service work. He also said that it didn't appear there was any way under current law to enforce the posted skate park rules. The youth in attendence pointed out that there are different groups of boarders and bikers, that not all boarders should be blamed for the damage caused by other groups. Jacobson and others pointed out that, if those in attendence knew anything about the identities of anyone responsible for any damage or vandalism, they must take the responsibility of reporting what they knew to the authorities. Juergens said it seemed that the Skate Club was moribund, and that people interested in having the park re-opened should re-organize the group. Anderson reported that there had been malicious damage to signs at the skate park, graffiti and trash problems. He said he was very disappointed in the actions of some people who used the park. It was noted that rules prohibit bikers using the skate park equipment, and that maybe those people are jealous and express their unhappiness by vandalism. (This prohibition is due to insurance concerns.) Alt urged more frequent patrols of the park by the police. Juergens suggested that the skate-park equipment not be replaced into the asphalt surface (it is sitting on grass nearby) until next Spring. It would only be replaced if it appears that substantial progress has been made in re-organizing a group of responsible youth who can demonstrate that they will care for the park. One of the kids present asked what would happen if no group formed, and it was suggested that the equipment could be sold to another municipality. Several board members stressed that the situation at the skate park was viewed as very serious and, if significant improvements could not be demonstrated, closing the facility was a strong possibility. Juergens said he would contact the police chief, the city attorney, school officials and staff at the Dean Community Center in an effort to bring together adults who could suggest ways of getting a handle on the situation. It was decided by consensus that the skate park will remain closed until further notice.
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ReplyDeleteI believe that there are currently several members of the community that are collectively saying "I told you so" right now. I wish that wasn't the case.
It is too bad that this did not work out, but making the request that our police actively patrol the skate park more is ridiculous. Name one other recreation area in the city that needs to be patrolled more than normal in order to prevent vandalism, littering, bullying and other acts of a criminal nature? Therein lies the problem. We have created, under controversy, an area that needs more attention from authority figures precisely because it is what it is...a skate park.
I think we can all agree that if it walks like a duck and it sounds like a duck, then it is in fact a duck. Like I said before there was more than enough warning that if approved this duck would cause all of the problems that all municipalities have with ducks. And now we are discussing the possibility of not having this duck all together. Clearly there was not enough discussion before "we" approved this duck.
When I was younger in Madison we didn't have public skate parks. Kids that wanted to skate paid money at private skate facilities or their parents bought and/or built equipment on their own property where the kids who wanted to skate could skate. I, personally, would never make this decision because it would be an increase to various amounts of personal liability. But that does not mean I would condone or even push the city of approving a public skate park just because I would never do that for my own child.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mason Braunschweig
I was very happy for the kids who like skate boarding when a place was made for them at the park. It is much better to have skate boarding there than on the street, or up on garden ledges, and other unsafe areas. I see signs of vandalism in larger communities, and here, actually. HOWEVER, the children using the skate board park are probably not the group that needs to skate board in the pool. How about the fathers and mothers of the children who are using skate boards quickly reform the group with the help of the park board and and keep this facility operational. The vandals who are now caught will be disciplined and those fun loving, responsible skate boarders can resume their sport.
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