Kids rolling at West Windsor’s new skate park

Grand opening held Saturday for instantly popular facility

By: Nick Norlen
   WEST WINDSOR — Ollie away, West Windsor.
   After opening Saturday, the ribbon was officially cut on the new West Windsor Skate Park on Monday.
   The skateboarders, bikers and in-line skaters didn’t waste any time putting it to use.
   With the sound of wheels hitting blacktop and metal in the background, Township Recreation and Parks Manager Ken Jacobs said he was excited to finally get the park up and, well, rolling.
   "It all started with just a couple kids coming to us suggesting that we build one," he said of the approximately five-year process. "Then we formed a committee. And then from that, we put together a proposal. And from the proposal, we did the design with the kids’ input."
   After that, $200,000 from the Recreation Commission Trust Fund was earmarked for the project, and the final approval from the insurance company was given on Friday, he said.
   On Saturday, approximately 140 kids registered to use the facility at Community Park.
   West Windsor Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh said the community survey undertaken nearly six years ago to determine the desire for additional recreation facilities revealed that a skate park was the first choice of residents.
   "Parents were concerned with their kids going to the roadways, parking lots and the train station," he said. "So they wanted to see a place where they can at least keep an eye on what’s going on."
   Kids at the park Monday said the course is definitely legit — and, yes, "rad" and "sick."
   When asked, most kids listed places like those cited by Mayor Hsueh as their former skating spots.
   Now, the park will give kids a place to congregate, practice and learn new tricks from each other.
   "It’s a cool hangout," said 16-year-old Tim Parris, a skateboarder from West Windsor.
   Both Tim and 13-year-old in-line skater Phil Kellan, of West Windsor, said they plan to use the park "every day."
   Even though he just started, the park will give him a better place to practice on his BMX than the ditch in the woods, said Colin Hall, a 13-year-old biker from West Windsor.
   "The other thing is, it’s free," he said. "You just need the registration."
   Mr. Jacobs said registration is required for all park users, and kids 7 to 11 must to be accompanied by an adult.
   In terms of safety, a number of rules are posted at the site and given to kids when they register.
   All users must wear safety helmets, elbow pads and knee pads, and all users must wear their registration sticker on their helmet while in the park.
   With similar facilities planned for South Brunswick and Princeton, Mr. Jacobs said he’s glad that the township was able to offer its residents the unique amenity.
   "It’s becoming more and more popular, but in this immediate area, we’re one of the first ones for sure," he said.
   The park is open from 8 a.m. to dusk and is open only to skateboarders, in-line skaters and bikers.
   Registration information is available at the West Windsor Recreation Web site, www.wwparks-recreation.com, or by contacting the Recreation Office at 799-6141.