ROBBINSVILLE: Signs going up; skateboard ordinance eyed

by Audrey Levine, The Packet Group
   ROBBINSVILLE — In response to concerns earlier this month that skateboarders in Martini Park, in Town Center, are damaging property, the Township Council has agreed to have temporary signs posted prohibiting any activity there that could cause such damage.
   In addition, the council, in cooperation with the Recreation Advisory Committee, said last week it will be looking into the creation of an ordinance that would prohibit skateboarding on public property in general.
   Several residents spoke out during the April 16 council meeting about the need for regulating skateboarders in the mini-park because of the concern of property damage as well as a fear of confrontations with the kids who spend time there.
   ”It is reasonable to restrict (skateboarding) in town parks,” Mayor Dave Fried said at the April 23 meeting. “We do have a skate park so it is not like we are completely restricting skateboarding.”
   There is a skate park next to the police station.
   Township Administrator Mary Caffrey said the township has an ordinance in place that prohibits any activity that could damage public property, which gives the council leeway for the signs to be placed at the small Martini Park.
   ”We can immediately post these signs to say that what could damage the property is prohibited,” she said. “These could stay up while we are looking into another ordinance.”
   Public Works Director Dino Colarocco said at the April 23 meeting that he hoped to have the signs up within a day or two.
   Council members questioned whether the damage in Martini Park is due to only skateboarders or if bicycles and other equipment have caused problems as well.
   ”We’ve inspected the area,” said Ms. Caffrey, who said she went to look at the damage after the April 16 meeting. “There is no question it’s from rollerblading and skateboarding.”
   In looking at ordinances of surrounding towns, Recreation Director Chris Merias said most prohibit skateboarding in any public parks because the towns have separate skate parks.
   Although the council members said they would like to look into such an ordinance, they expressed concern about using the words “public property,” saying these terms are too general.
   ”What about in the street?” asked Councilman Rich Levesque. “I think the words ‘town property’ are very broad.”
   Councilwoman Sonja Walter said many skateboarders, for example, begin in the driveway and end up rolling out into the street so the council needs to determine if the roads should be included in the prohibition for skateboarding on public land.
   In addition, Mr. Levesque said, the council has to determine if bicycles, scooters, rollerblades and any other wheeled objects should be included in the ordinance as well.
   Louise Dabrowski, of Burnet Crescent, who introduced the concerns about the park at the April 16 meeting, said she has been finding lately the kids are being “spiteful” and have returned to the park on their bicycles, instead of skateboards.
   ”They come off the steps (at the park) and skid around on their bicycles,” she said after the meeting.
   She said she believes the ordinance should include prohibitions on anything on wheels, including bicycles.
   ”They can do damage, but this is also for the kids’ safety,” she said. “I am concerned about the damage to the park, and it is not safe for them.”
   In addition, Mayor Fried said, he has asked Planning Director Jack West to look into the possibility of putting a skate park or some kind of recreation area on the 40-acre Kushner tract.
   The council approved a resolution in March to enter into a professional services agreement with Remington, Vernick & Arango Engineers to prepare conceptual plans for that township-owned land.
   ”I have asked (Mr. West) to include plans to have recreational opportunities on that side of Route 130 so kids do not have to cross a major highway,” Mayor Fried said.
   Robbinsville Police Chief Martin Masseroni urged the council to move forward with the ordinance slowly by considering the work of other towns and making sure they have something they all can approve.
   There is a plan in the works for a skate park near Hightstown High School.