| Author |
Message |
    
magmasystems
Citizen
Username: Magmasystems
Post Number: 27
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 7:30 am: |     |
Hi,
I was talking with a fellow patron at the Maplewood Theater the other night about skateboarding for our respective sons. She mentioned that there might be a plan under way in Maplewood to construct a skatepark. Does anyone know anything about this?
Also, has anyone had any experience with the JT Skatepark... it's at 200 Pleasant Valley Way in West Orange (at the Armory??). It's $20 per person for skateboarding, free video games, etc.
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ml1
Citizen
Username: Ml1
Post Number: 550
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 9:13 am: | |
I recall a petition circulating last Spring at the Jefferson school fair. There was a plan to build a skate park behind the DPW building on Parker. Seemed like a good idea -- not that close to any residences, but close enough to the MPD that the kids would be reasonably supervised. |
The New CFA
Citizen
Username: Cfa
Post Number: 806
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 9:56 am: | |
Well, actually, it is close to residences. If you were traveling down the street toward the soccer field, there are homes on the left side of the street, directly across from the lot. If a resident was sitting outdoors enjoying the serenity, they would definitely hear the noise. |
ml1
Citizen
Username: Ml1
Post Number: 551
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 10:32 am: | |
Maybe that's why nothing came of it. I guess I thought the area was a little more out of the way. |
java_drinker
Citizen
Username: Java_drinker
Post Number: 107
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 11:39 am: | |
So now we are to be of the oppinion "children should be neither seen or heard"? |
ml1
Citizen
Username: Ml1
Post Number: 554
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 12:03 pm: | |
I'd rather hear them and know where they are, but I realize not every homeowner agrees with that sentiment.
(Personally, I'd rather have a skateboard park next door with a reasonable curfew (say 9 PM) than the barking dogs that we have to endure from 7AM-11PM 365 days a year.) |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 2496
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 12:57 pm: | |
I believe the petition that was around last summer was for a roller hockey rink, not quite the same thing. And CFA, now we know where you live. 
BTW, Rex-Plex, the sports facility next to Ikea in Elizabeth, has an indoor skate park. I don't know what they charge for its use. |
The New CFA
Citizen
Username: Cfa
Post Number: 807
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 3:25 pm: | |
Java,
In my opinion, you're reading into my statement regarding the noise. All I said was that the residents would hear the noise, I didn't say they'd mind the noise.
Speaking for myself, it appears that most skateboarders are teenage boys. Teenage boys generally don't scream, screech, etc. I think I'd be able to handle the noise they made, however, I wouldn't tollerate it if they cursed the whole time out there.
Ml1,
I agree. There's nothing worse than a barking dog. Anything over a few minutes is nerve wracking. |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 2497
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 3:38 pm: | |
For the record, the area in question is next to a lighted soccer field that is in use nine months a year, including practice under the lights during the week. |
java_drinker
Citizen
Username: Java_drinker
Post Number: 108
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 4:21 pm: | |
CFA, My sincerest apologies, I thought we were going to get into one of the “those damn kids in Maplewood village” rants again and I jumped the gun.
I remember (not THAT long ago) how hard it was to find appropriate “hang” space and areas to congregate before some well-intentioned adults had the authorities moving us along in what they thought was the public’s best interest. Sending the message to teens that just about anything they like to do is “trouble making” to the public at large hurts the community and will drive them to unsupervised areas and more dangerous activities.
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The New CFA
Citizen
Username: Cfa
Post Number: 808
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 6:01 pm: | |
Java,
No need to apologize. I agree there should definitely be a place for the kids to hang out. |
goodsense
Citizen
Username: Goodsense
Post Number: 9
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 23, 2003 - 8:44 pm: | |
I agree that it might be nice for the kids to have a skate board park. I still think that a much greater number of people would enjoy a nice dog run. I don't mean to say that it should be one or the other. A town like MW should have both. |
justmelaura
Citizen
Username: Justmelaura
Post Number: 188
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 3:35 pm: | |
I have a son who is a skateboard addict. We go to Rexplex, and it is state of the art, but fairly expensive if you want to go regularly. We just recently checked out TJ's and the price is $12 on the weekend, but only $6 during the week and very laid back. It's not as fancey as Rexplex, but it is a good place for kids to practice. Rexplex has an EMT (or nurse?) on premises, which is reassuring, if you've ever spent 5 minutes watching these kids do what they do. The other option is the local Y. They offer Skateboarding/Skating 2 times a week. The instructor who teaches it is very nice, but we haven't been back there since last spring. My son loved the classes. The are a bunch of boardhounds in this town and I am always asking them where to go. You might get a few more leads that way, also.
jml |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 585
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 5:06 pm: | |
my son is also a dedicated skateboarder. He doesn't like JTs at all anymore, too small I guess. Rexplex, once you get a membership, is great. It's much bigger, plus the grownups can head over to Ikea or Jersey Gardens.
His other favorites include Chelsea Piers (only open in summer), but the biggest draw is the Philadelphia area. The Vans skate park in one of the malls near Moorestown, plus a few famous outdoor places in Philadelphia itself, such as FDR and Love parks.
In M/SO, the guerrilla boarders hit the curbs and planters at the Maplewood train station, and the steps by the back lot of the SO station. The "Y" program is called Launch & Grind, and comes highly recommended.
But let's get that outdoor skate park built! It's great exercise for the kids, builds coordination, and gets 'em away from the video games. |
magmasystems
Citizen
Username: Magmasystems
Post Number: 28
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 8:01 pm: | |
Thanks all for your replies.
My son is a skateboard addict too. We live in Millburn and my son and all of his friends go to the Commons in Millburn. Unfortunately, the kids get run out by the cops several times per day. It is too bad that Millburn does not want to built a skateboard facility.... several years ago, there was a movement by the parents of a bunch of middle schoolers to try to get the town to erect a skate facility, but it was nixed.
Now, kids from all over the area come to the Commons. A lot of kids from M/SO, and even kids from Morristown.
Our only hope is the skatepark that Chatham is erecting.. I wonder if it will only be open to Chatam residents. |
tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 587
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 27, 2003 - 4:15 pm: | |
The Chatham one is news to me. Where's it going to be? |
mck
Citizen
Username: Mck
Post Number: 365
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 28, 2003 - 12:25 pm: | |
ML1: your comment about dogs barking all day and all night caught my attention. If that is the case then someone is neglecting their pets, and a call to animal control might be in order.
a skate park is a great idea. Our home got a flier in the mail: don't know how, no skaters at our house, but we support it. |
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