The Windham Skate Park on Gray Road was closed recently due to inadequate structures, but the town says they hope the closure will be temporary.
Town Manager Tony Plante said the decision to close the park was based on the recommendation of the town’s inspector, who examined the skate park last week for insurance purposes.
The park’s skate ramps are wooden, and some are rotting, according to Plante. The structures have suffered from the normal wear of skates, scooters and bikes.
“The structures are not in danger of collapse,” Plante said, “but there are concerns that need to be addressed.”
Plante said given the inspector’s assessment, “we felt the most prudent thing was to temporarily close the park until we determine what corrective action needs to be taken.”
The issues with the skate park structures are recurring problems from the continuous use of the park, according to Plante. One problem is the loosening of the kick-plates, or metal transition plates at the base of the ramps. The screws that hold the kick-plates in place over time become loose and the holes stripped, making them difficult to remount, Plante said.
“It’s a challenge to keep up with these things,” he said.
The town also brought in a structural engineer to assess the park, who came to similar conclusions as the inspector, Plante said.
Next, the town will determine whether to continue to invest in the park’s wooden structures, or to design a different skate park.
Plante said the town does not have a timeline for when the park will re-open.
Linda Brooks, director of the Parks and Recreation Department, said the skate park’s advisory committee has “a desire to do something more permanent, and put a new face on the park.”
The committee will hold a meeting on Monday, May 2, where they are hoping for feedback from park users. Both cement and metal skate parks are an option, Brooks said.
According to Brooks, Windham was one of the first towns in the area to provide a skate park, which was built in the late 1990s.
At the time it “was very forward thinking, she said. “It served its purpose for a number of years, but it’s been a lot of time and effort to maintain.”
Town Council Chairwoman Donna Chapman said she was “very disappointed” that the park has been closed, “but on a positive note, we’re scrambling to get some things in place, and do enough maintenance to utilize the skate park,” she said.
Last year, Chapman said, the council voted to reinstate supervision at the park starting this year, in part to address what she said is a continuing problem with vandalism.
Chapman visited the skate park last Thursday, she said, after the inspector recommended closure, and found the park had been vandalized, with litter and trash on the ground and pieces of equipment kicked in.
“Users should not be abusers,” she said, “they should not be destroying something they enjoy.”
But due to the deterioration of the park’s structures, Chapman said, bringing back supervision at the park will not fix all of the problems.
Chapman said in addition to looking at a temporary fix for the wooden skate park, the town will explore options for a new cement skate park. As well, the council will look into adding more maintenance staff for the Parks and Recreation Department.
“When it comes to neglect of public property, that is a concern for (the council),” Chapman said.
Tyler Gelanis, a junior at Windham High School who frequents the park, said that while spots of the skate park are deteriorating, for the most part the park is “still rideable.”
“The park is just getting old,” he said.
Gelanis rides a BMX – a small trick bike – and said before bikes were allowed at the park, there were very few places in Windham where he could ride.
Gelanis said he was told the park may close indefinitely, “which I don’t understand, because all the kids love what they do.”
But when he heard the town may look into a cement skate park, Gelanis said, “I’m looking forward to what they are planning.”
The Windham Skate Park has been closed due to deterioration of the ramps, although town officials have said they hope the closure will be temporary. Maintenance and supervision at the park are an ongoing issue for the town.
A closer look
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting on Monday, May 2, at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers to discuss the future of Windham’s skate park.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
