OCEAN CITY – Skating enthusiasts of all ages thanked city council for moving forward with plans to rebuild a skateboard park during the regular meeting Feb. 13. The previous park, which opened April 2002, closed Oct. 2011, citing safety concerns and deteriorating equipment.
“I’m committed to constructing a new skateboard park this year,” said Mayor Jay Gillian, during his Municipal Budget Presentation. “If we can reach consensus on a suitable location then we can find the budget part and get it done.”
Approximately $250,000 has been set aside for the skateboard park. Because the city plans to equip the park with ramps and rails that are built to last, additional funding through sponsorships is necessary.
In Dec. 2013, Gillian said the park would be located north of the Sports and Civic Center, but as of now no plans have been finalized with regards to the design or location.
“I will promise that until we raise that money, I won’t stop working towards it,” said Councilman Michael DeVlieger. “It’s something that will absolutely contribute to the culture we’ve got here.”
DeVlieger, who worked directly on the skateboard park committee, said the reason he ran for office was to strengthen the city’s year-round business community while at the same time making the city attractive to young families.
“An investment like this, I think, will pay long term dividends and I’m happy and proud that the team up here is working toward that,” said DeVlieger.
Michael Carmody, an Ocean City resident, asked council to look to other updated skateboard parks for inspiration.
“If you look at Philadelphia, what they just did right on the Schuylkill at the art museum, it’s beautiful,” said Carmody. Paine’s Park, of which Carmody spoke, also attracts non-skaters with its abundance of green space, benches and cobblestone paths.
Ricky Hardin, a student at Ocean City Intermediate School, said he enjoyed the original skateboard park until it closed. “A new park, I heard is going to be really nice, and I’d like to have a good budget on it,” said Hardin. “I want it to last long, because skating’s a big thing for me.”
Steve Beseris, of Ocean City, thanked council for taking the time to consider a replacement skateboard park and for wanting to rebuild it in the right way.
“My own children are really excited about it. All the kids that I have at the Intermediate School are completely abuzz,” said Beseris.
Skateboarding is more than a hobby, Beseris said, it’s a culture. “It’s so empowering to see some of the kids the way they rise up amongst their peers,” said Beseris. “You see them have their moment and it’s huge.”
Local business owners are also in support of the park. Willie Fannon, owner of Ocean City N.J. Surf School, said his customers that visit from out of state have to leave town when they want to skate.
“I think with us being such a big resort, catering as a family resort, the fact that we don’t have a skateboard park here is shocking,” said Fannon.
Todd Dwyer, of Ocean City, said he has to take his children to Upper Township and Sea Isle City if they want to skate.
“It would be unique as a shore point,” said Dwyer. “It would be a draw for different families that we aren’t getting now.”
Councilman Keith Hartzell, who communicated via telephone during the meeting, said the skateboard park would also be a place for surfers to hone their skills.
“It’s more of a family activity,” said Hartzell. The councilman said he has a few possible sponsorships lined up and that he will continue to work toward securing additional funding.
To contact Kirby Reed, email kreed@cmcherald.com.
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