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Politics & Government

A Skate Park for Southampton?

Supervisors OK planned curtailment for skaters and bikers in the township's current parks and recreation centers, but agree to look for a potential skate park site.

In skateboarding terms, the Board of Supervisors performed a 360 flip Tuesday. That's when a board does one full rotation.

On a night when they were expected to simply ban skateboarding, rollerblading, scooters and bikes on playground areas, sports fields, and tennis and basketball courts -- the supervisors also decided it might be folly to not find a good place to allow ollies.

The pending ordinance first came under fire from Mill Creek Road resident Robert Shaffer.

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“This sends a very clear message to kids not interested in participating in organized sports and that message to those kids is 'stay out of our parks with your skateboards and rollerblades.' And I think that's the wrong message. Why don't you look at ways to accommodate these youngsters?”

“I think this is a bad ordinance and if you guys approve this you should be ashamed of yourselves,” he added.

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Shaffer suggested the township might be able to use one of its tennis courts for such alternative athletes.

“It's not a blanket prohibition,” responded Solicitor Don Williams, who explained that the pending ban doesn't apply to entire parks, just the aforementioned areas.

Asked by Shaffer where the activity would be allowed, Williams simply said, “anywhere else.”

But Shaffer responded: “There is no anywhere else.”

And Township Manager Joe Golden said Shaffer had a point.

“We could look at providing a skate park somewhere,” said Golden.

Parks and Recreation Director Paul Radzevich said the ordinance is meant in part to deter vandalism. He said young people affected by it could go to Warminster or Northampton, where there are skate parks.

That answer didn't sit well with Shaffer or Supervisor Marguerite Genesio.

“I don't want to hear that if they don't like it, they can go somewhere else,” said Genesio.

“Our park is our greatest asset,” she added. “We should be focusing on what they can do, not what they can't do.”

Supervisor Chairwoman Lola Biuckians added, “We can't prohibit people from using the park for athletic activity that is different. … That's very unfair.”

Supervisor Keith Froggatt said he has no problem using a tennis court even though he has concern that supervision might be needed. He suggested the Parks and Recreation Department look into site options.

In the end, the board approved the ordinance with the restrictions in all parks and recreation areas – on a 3-2 vote, with Genesio and Stephen Wallin dissenting.

They also agreed with the suggestion from Froggatt and Golden to look for a potential skate park site.

“I have no problem looking for a place for a skateboard park,” said Radzevich.

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