Problems with kids’ misbehaving forces officials to close skate park

BY JEANNE STARMACK

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

STRUTHERS — The city is debating when to reopen a skate park after closing it Sunday because neighbors complained about kids’ swearing.

The small park, on Stewart Street, might remain closed through next week, said Ed Wildes, city safety service director.

He said the mayor would decide when to reopen it. Mayor Terry Stocker could not be reached Thursday.

Wildes said the park opened about three years ago after being built with donations. There have been problems there all along, he said.

“I had to close it the first year,” he said, because kids were breaking bottles and throwing trash. He said the problems escalated, with kids using foul language and smoking.

“The neighbors were getting tired of it,” he said.

After several complaints, he continued, he suspended some kids from the park.

He said the problem has “gotten out of hand in the last couple of weeks.”

“Neighbors called the police, and the kids would run,” he said.

He said he closed the park at 2 p.m. Sunday.

At a meeting Thursday that included himself, the mayor and the police chief, they decided to post rules.

Signs will say no profanity, no smoking and no littering and threaten violators with prosecution and being banned from the park.

“There are good kids that use it,” Wildes pointed out. He said the city does not allow skateboarding on streets and sidewalks.