Township Recreation Director: It’s been very well received
By: Paul Koepp
Kids were gathering Tuesday afternoon to ride the rails and ramps of the new skate park in Reichler Park, and while they had some reservations about its size, township officials say it has been a hit.
About 370 kids have registered to use the skate park so far, according to Tom Morris, township recreation director.
"I think it’s been very successful. It’s been very well received," he said.
The park is open every day from 9 a.m. until dusk. There is full-time supervision to make sure that skaters are wearing helmets as required, Mr. Morris said. Once the school year starts, supervision will be limited to after-school hours.
Skaters at the park Tuesday afternoon, about a month after it opened, had mixed reviews of the facility.
"It’s pretty good but kind of small," said Richard Zhou, 12. "But it has unique things you don’t see in other parks," he said, pointing out a stair and ramp combination and a long, curved rail.
Matt Garrabant, 15, said some skaters would like the park more if it had a smoother surface like the concrete of other parks in Edison and Sayreville, instead of asphalt.
Both skaters said the helmet requirement is much more strict than at other skate parks.
"You have this big heavy thing dangling on your head," Richard said.
Matt said that "it may not seem so dramatic, but it really changes the way you skate."
Casey Yoder, owner of the new JC Xtreme Hobby and Skate Shop on Ridge Road in Monmouth Junction, said Tuesday that while he understood the township wanted to build the park economically, parks for other sports like baseball have been built at a much higher expense.
The 6,510-square-foot park, located in front of the Recycling Center, cost about $129,000 to build.
Mr. Yoder said he hopes the township can expand the skate park in the future. He said that because of its small size, pro skaters might choose to hold events at parks like the ones in Edison and Sayreville, and kids will continue to skate in other places throughout the township.
"Don’t get me wrong, I’m really happy they built it," he said. "I just think they could have put a little more effort into it."

