BRATTLEBORO — As a young police officer in the early 1960s, I was leaving the police station one afternoon and observed my first skateboarder on Grove Street Hill headed toward Main Street.
The late Sgt. Albert Hall and I were both shocked to see that this young man was standing on his head with his hands keeping his body upright on the skateboard. From that time on, the complaints of skateboarders increased, and we heard the same remarks that we need a skatepark in this town.
Safety for our youth is extremely important. I truly believe that Brattleboro does need a skate park. I also firmly believe that skateboards and traffic do not mix. Helmets should be required also.
Recently, I have noticed new signs regarding the use of the Crowell Lot as a skatepark. These signs ask for a different site for the skatepark location.
As a police officer in Brattleboro for more than 30 years, and a lifetime citizen of this town, I look at the Crowell lot with fond memories. I played ball at this park, attended recreational activities in the summer, and attended the horseshoe contests in evenings. This has always been a family park and continues to be used by families.
Many times in the past, complaints were registered after dark at the police station regarding bouncing of basketballs and disturbing the the peace and quiet of the evening.
Recently, I have sat on my porch in the evening and have heard the constant noise of one or two skateboards a block away from my house. I thought at this time the noise was loud, and after the constant banging of the boards on the pavement, I wondered to myself what would 30 skateboards sound like to the neighbors of the Crowell Lot.
I can certainly understand why these “Re-site the Skateboard Park” messages are appearing in the neighborhood of the Crowell Lot.
Last week, the Keene Sentinel ran a news item regarding the damage to the skateboard park on Gilbo Avenue in Keene that forced the park to close and cancel a skateboard contest. It was said that the skateboard park did attract vandals to the area and it was not necessarily skateboarders who caused the damage.
Yes, we need a skateboard park - but not at the Crowell Lot. We do not need to attract vandals to a park next door to a public school and so close to residential homes.
Please, Brattleboro Selectboard, listen to these residents. You represent them also!