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Council plans for repairs at skate/bike park |
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Written by Publisher
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Tuesday, 12 May 2009 |
Photo by Ted Lutz
These three eighth-grade students at the Kane Middle School attended the Kane Borough Council meeting Monday to voice concerns about the skate/bike park. The boys include, left to right: Reid Thompson, 13, of Kane; Nathan Anthony, 14, of Kane; and John Emer, 14, of James City. Council is hoping to make repairs at the facility, which is located at Glenwood Park on Hacker Street (Route 321).
By Ted Lutz
Staff Writer
Due to deteriorating wooden ramps and widespread litter, the Kane Borough Council indicated last month that it might close the borough’s five-year-old skate/bike park.
Now council is looking forward to making repairs at the frequently-used youth facility at Glenwood Park on Hacker Street (Route 321).
“One of the last things we want to do is shut it down,” Borough Council President Howard Kane said Monday. He said the borough is making plans to repair the skate/bike park and is “hoping” to have the work completed by the end of June.
Speaking at a council meeting, Kane said the skate/bike facility is “used more than any other park” in the borough.
The borough’s plan to repair the skate/bike park rather than close it is welcome news to park users — including three eighth-grade students who supported the facility in remarks made at the council meeting.
“We don’t want it shut down,” John Emer told council.
Emer, 14, a James City resident, said he is a frequent rider at the skate/bike park.
Reid Thompson, 13, and Nathan Anthony, 14, both of Kane, also spoke at the meeting in favor of keeping the skate/bike park in operation.
The three students received parental permission to leave Kane Middle School temporarily to speak at the council meeting. Middle School Principal Jim Fryzlewicz said he considered the students’ mission “very appropriate.”
The skate/bike park consists of a series of wooden ramps. Youths riding skateboards and bicycles go up and down the ramps and execute trick maneuvers.
Those who ride at the park are expected to sign waivers at the borough office. The waivers absolve the borough of liability in the event of accidents or injuries at the facility.
Councilman Bob O’Rourke headed a volunteer work party that constructed the skate/bike park in 2004. The borough was allotted $31,818 in federal community-development funds to pay for the materials used to build the ramps. The Kane Rotary Club also donated $10,000 to install a paved blacktop base for the skate/bike park.
Council in September 2007 spent $1,078 for materials to repair the facility. A work crew from the state prison near Marienville provided the manpower for this repair project.
Weather and daily use are taking their toll on the wooden facility and necessitating the need for more repairs.
The users agree that upgrades are needed.
“Some of the ramps are broken from overuse,” Anthony told council. “It does need some major repairs,” Emer said.
In addition to the deteriorating conditions at the skate/bike park, the volume of litter left at the site has irritated council.
“Garbage is everywhere but in the cans,” Councilman Jim Salvamoser said Monday.
Police Chief Brian Hillard said only “a handful” of youths is responsible for the litter.
“Most of the guys are super,” he said. He asked the youths to “spread the word” to keep the facility “cleaned up.”
Emer said he and his friends have filled up trash cans at the site “five different times.” He believes that most of the litter is left by out-of-town youths who come to Kane to ride at the popular park.
Councilman Dennis Drost said he and other council members should take time to visit the skate/bike park and ask the youths to clean up any litter.
Drost also advised the youths to “formulate a list” of possible changes in the design at the skate/bike park. The list will go to Councilman Mike Merry.
Salvamoser said he has asked the Rotary Club to again consider financial help for the skate/bike park. He is obtaining estimates from Kane Lumber for materials for the planned repair project.
The borough also plans to contact both the federal prison in Lafayette Township and the state prison near Marienville to secure work crews for the proposed repairs.
According to discussion Monday, about 20 youths are riding at the park after school on every “nice day.” The facility also is heavily used on weekends.
“There’re riding and having fun,” Kane said.
Kane told the teens Monday that council “wants to keep it open as much as you do.”
“We’ll work with you if you work with us,” he said. Kane asked the youths to stop at the borough office to report problems at the skate/bike park.
Emer suggested holding a “competition” at the park to raise money for the repair work.
Kane said such an event should be scheduled at the end of August.
Councilman John Gentilman believes the Kane Area Recreation and Cultural Commission (KARCC) should “get involved” with the skate/bike park operation.
Council appeared pleased that the youths came to the meeting to voice their concerns with the skate/bike park.
But two youth suggestions — a roof over the facility and lighting — apparently will go on council’s back-burner for now.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 12 June 2009 )
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