Teens take skate-park plans to Hanover council

[Bil98z24]

claud wrote:

<quoted text>
Should the burrough also be responsible for the law suits that come in for all the injuries that come as standard equipment with a skate park. Sure kids get hurt at other sports, but skate parks are designed for doing dangerous tricks and end up with a lot of injuries.

Obviously there has to be some sort of waiver signed. Or the borough would have to pay for insurance. Either way Claud, you are an idiot.

[Bil98z24]

sue wrote:

why should tax payers have to pay for this? make the parents pay to build a skate park. parents should raise their own kiddies, not the taxpayers

I'm sure you can spare some extra change sue, considering you are using a free AOL account.

[Bil98z24]

Missy Franklin wrote:

I don't think most people would have a problem with a skatepark, as long as tax money isn't used to fund it. If the group wanting it, can raise the money GREAT. When you talking possibly $250,00 to build a park, to be used by 30-50 kids, that is alot of money. The cost of the basketball courts and other ballfields was alot less and is used by a large group of the community.

Most ball fields in use around the area are in use by leagues.

What would you rather this money be spent on. More police coverage to harrass the kids about skating around town. Filling a politicians pocket? Paying to lock people and throw away the key? What else would you use the money on?

As a matter of fact, do not answer that. I have a feeling your answer is automatically going to make me mad.

[lumpy]

I think more research needs to be done, by the folks who are running of at the mouth about liability. Did you know more children are hurt on playground equipment per year than skateparks. the percentage of football, baseball,and soccer players has at least twice the number of injuries per hundred thousand partipants as skateboarding.Those are sports that are provided at almost any school, which you the taxpayer help to fund.If you have any more comments on the the liability issue or taxpayer issues you better come at me with better arguments than what you have now.

[Joe]

Mom Supporter of Skaters wrote:

<quoted text>
No...the borough would not be responsible if it is open to the public, by law. It's basically a "you enter at your own risk", if it is a park open to public, if I understand right. Kind of the same as if someone played basketball in town on a public court and falls and breaks their ankle or something. We don't want the borough or anyone else responsible for the injuries...I think Most parents would agree that if we allow our children to skate/bike there, we are responsible, so we will make sure that no one else is responsible...sign a form, so to speak, such as what other skate parks do...or even how the schools do it with field trips saying that we know where our kids are and what they are doing and are ok with it and take full responsibility and will not hold anyone else responsible. Like the Y did basically. There would also be a 'code of conduct' sort of thing involved where everyone is on their best behavior, or your out...and/or authorities are called. We don't want this to be a site for problems, just recreation of a sport that some people just haven't excepted yet because of what they hear or because the 'bad apples' in the bunch make it look bad. We don't want those bad apples in the skate park bunch.

If you really think that saying it is an "at your own risk" activity and that means the borough won't get sued and won't have to spend money defending themselves, you're insane.

Pay attention - people sue for everything. You need to do a little more to assuage the fears of the public than saying skaters are nice people and won't sue.

[Y Not]

The local YMCA tried to provide such a facility. Why was it not used ?? If there was a fee and this was an issue, let this group to do fundraisers, etc to support/expand this facility.
Why do the folks of the surrounding Townships think the Borough should use its tax dollars to provide this facility for their use ???

[Joe]

Mrs. Wetzel cracks me up.

First, the woe is me crap about her kids getting tickets. Well, if they didn't break the law, they wouldn't get tickets. Whine all you want about people "discriminating" against skateboarders, but the truth is they cause damage and often are trespassing, which is against the law. Teach your kids respect for property and authority and maybe people will be a little more sympathetic.

Then the sob story about how she couldn't afford to pay for her kids to go to the Y every day. I'm sorry, it should not be someone else's responsibility to create entertainment options for her kids that fit into her budget.

And, yes, yes, yes, I know you will say it will be paid for without taxes and open to everyone for free, but I have seen nothing other than hopes and dreams to show this will really happen. So spare us the martyr act until you have more than wishes.

[Bil98z24]

Joe wrote:

Mrs. Wetzel cracks me up.
First, the woe is me crap about her kids getting tickets. Well, if they didn't break the law, they wouldn't get tickets. Whine all you want about people "discriminating" against skateboarders, but the truth is they cause damage and often are trespassing, which is against the law. Teach your kids respect for property and authority and maybe people will be a little more sympathetic.
Then the sob story about how she couldn't afford to pay for her kids to go to the Y every day. I'm sorry, it should not be someone else's responsibility to create entertainment options for her kids that fit into her budget.
And, yes, yes, yes, I know you will say it will be paid for without taxes and open to everyone for free, but I have seen nothing other than hopes and dreams to show this will really happen. So spare us the martyr act until you have more than wishes.

I'm surprised that such a bunch of unintelligent cry baby girl ranting can come out of your mouth and actually post these thoughts. You are an idiot. Police and locals discriminate against the youth in general. Kids are always up to trouble is the logic.(kids are sometimes up to trouble, sometimes not, the same as adults.)

I'm sure while you were a kid growing up you were a well behaved child, and you probably think things just are not how they use to be.

Again, you are an idiot. Stop crying about Mrs. Wetzel.

[Come on]

Y Not wrote:

The local YMCA tried to provide such a facility. Why was it not used ?? If there was a fee and this was an issue, let this group to do fundraisers, etc to support/expand this facility.
Why do the folks of the surrounding Townships think the Borough should use its tax dollars to provide this facility for their use ???

What makes you think that the skatepark at the Y was not used ? It was used but built poorly. The wood had buckles in it and the seams of the wood pieces where uneven so the kids skate board and skooter wheels would catch on it and cause them to fall. Plus the angles and everything of the ramps weren't right so you couldn't ride on the equipment quite right. Plus it was small so when it was busy, you couldn't use it like you wanted to, which was a waste of money when you paid to go and you weren't able to ride much. The skate park didn't close at the Y because no one used it, they coudln't get enough volunteers to stay there to watch over it, plus other numerous issues...that weren't brought up as the true reasons to why it closed.

[Joe]

Bil98z24 wrote:

<quoted text>
I'm surprised that such a bunch of unintelligent cry baby girl ranting can come out of your mouth and actually post these thoughts. You are an idiot. Police and locals discriminate against the youth in general. Kids are always up to trouble is the logic.(kids are sometimes up to trouble, sometimes not, the same as adults.)
I'm sure while you were a kid growing up you were a well behaved child, and you probably think things just are not how they use to be.
Again, you are an idiot. Stop crying about Mrs. Wetzel.

You're cute when you're illogical.

If these particular kids were discriminated against, what was the fake crime? Or were they ticketed for things like trespassing, which are part and parcel of the skateboard culture?

I wasn't always well behaved, but I don't think I was arrogant enough to think that my personal desires trumped the law. And that seems to be a common theme for the skateboarders.

Stay off property where people don't want you. Stop doing tricks that damage property. Stop running from the cops. Then you might have a leg to stand on.

[Mom of a BMXr]

Joe wrote:

<quoted text>
You're cute when you're illogical.
If these particular kids were discriminated against, what was the fake crime? Or were they ticketed for things like trespassing, which are part and parcel of the skateboard culture?
I wasn't always well behaved, but I don't think I was arrogant enough to think that my personal desires trumped the law. And that seems to be a common theme for the skateboarders.
Stay off property where people don't want you. Stop doing tricks that damage property. Stop running from the cops. Then you might have a leg to stand on.

Yes, I suppose in your mind, all children should sit around and just play video games and watch tv. You comment they should stop doing tricks that damage property, stay off property where people don't want you and stop running from the cops. Why do you think we want a skate park? This is what we are trying to do to make you happy without the kids getting into trouble with the law! There IS nowhere for them to ride and do tricks!

[Mom of a BMXr]

My son just gave me this link to check out!

http://www.spausa.org/bikes-parks.html

and also, check out this cop harassing some skaters for having fun, most likely because there is no park for them to ride

http://www.collegehumor.com/moogaloop/moogalo...

[state RN]

This is nice. A story about kids doing the right thing. Hope they get it, kids need something to do.

[Joe]

Mom of a BMXr wrote:

<quoted text>
Yes, I suppose in your mind, all children should sit around and just play video games and watch tv. You comment they should stop doing tricks that damage property, stay off property where people don't want you and stop running from the cops. Why do you think we want a skate park? This is what we are trying to do to make you happy without the kids getting into trouble with the law! There IS nowhere for them to ride and do tricks!

Where did I ever say kids should go inside all the time? The surest sign of someone unable to discuss something logically is their immediate jump to a negative conclusion. If all you can do is assume I want kids to play video games when I'm simply wondering why trespassing and destruction of property shouldn't be rewarded, you really have missed the point.

Maybe if the kids stopped doing tricks on other people's property for a while and stopped being a nuisance for the police, there would be more support for a skate park.

Maybe if they stood up and took responsibility for causing damage and apologized and said they would work for a positive change, there would be more support for a skate park.

Maybe if this group of kids took a stand and told their peers to respect the police and the property of others, there would be more support for a skate park.

But instead, the parents of these kids criticize the cops and everyone who doesn't just kowtow to these teenagers instead of realizing that maturity comes with responsibility. I have no problem with skateboarding or trick bike riding, just stop blaming the lack of a skateboard for kids breaking the law.

Just once I'd like to see someone say "We're sorry for trespassing and causing damage and will stop and focus on getting a place for ourselves." As a parent, I'd certainly want my children to own up to their misbehavior, but I guess that would be too much to ask.

[Bil98z24]

Joe wrote:

<quoted text>
You're cute when you're illogical.
If these particular kids were discriminated against, what was the fake crime? Or were they ticketed for things like trespassing, which are part and parcel of the skateboard culture?
I wasn't always well behaved, but I don't think I was arrogant enough to think that my personal desires trumped the law. And that seems to be a common theme for the skateboarders.
Stay off property where people don't want you. Stop doing tricks that damage property. Stop running from the cops. Then you might have a leg to stand on.

I'm not gay, please do not tell me I'm cute. Now please get back to the discussion on hand.

[lumpy]

if anyone needs an example of how a skatepark works check out the park in gettysburg it has been around for four years now and no tax dollars have been spent.However by everyone elses logic thats against having a skatepark, they dont mind 10 million dollars of taxpayer money for a new football stadium that is only used a few dozen times a year,and can only be enjoyed by the people who particapate in those sports.

[lumpy]

BY the way if you live in reading why do you care what happens in hanover.My thoughts are your an idiot who just likes to argue,Or you really live in the area and are just to much of a coward to speak unless its anonomously.

[sk8er]

Joe wrote:

Mrs. Wetzel cracks me up.
First, the woe is me crap about her kids getting tickets. Well, if they didn't break the law, they wouldn't get tickets. Whine all you want about people "discriminating" against skateboarders, but the truth is they cause damage and often are trespassing, which is against the law. Teach your kids respect for property and authority and maybe people will be a little more sympathetic.
Then the sob story about how she couldn't afford to pay for her kids to go to the Y every day. I'm sorry, it should not be someone else's responsibility to create entertainment options for her kids that fit into her budget.
And, yes, yes, yes, I know you will say it will be paid for without taxes and open to everyone for free, but I have seen nothing other than hopes and dreams to show this will really happen. So spare us the martyr act until you have more than wishes.

why do you care if theres a skatepark.we have said it a dozen times we plan on doing the leg work and raising the money.you act like we want hanover to just give us a skatepark.yes we need their approval and some help with getting land and all that but we dont want a handout.if were doing the work and your tax money isnt being used why do you care?

[sk8er]

Joe wrote:

<quoted text>
Where did I ever say kids should go inside all the time? The surest sign of someone unable to discuss something logically is their immediate jump to a negative conclusion. If all you can do is assume I want kids to play video games when I'm simply wondering why trespassing and destruction of property shouldn't be rewarded, you really have missed the point.
Maybe if the kids stopped doing tricks on other people's property for a while and stopped being a nuisance for the police, there would be more support for a skate park.
Maybe if they stood up and took responsibility for causing damage and apologized and said they would work for a positive change, there would be more support for a skate park.
Maybe if this group of kids took a stand and told their peers to respect the police and the property of others, there would be more support for a skate park.
But instead, the parents of these kids criticize the cops and everyone who doesn't just kowtow to these teenagers instead of realizing that maturity comes with responsibility. I have no problem with skateboarding or trick bike riding, just stop blaming the lack of a skateboard for kids breaking the law.
Just once I'd like to see someone say "We're sorry for trespassing and causing damage and will stop and focus on getting a place for ourselves." As a parent, I'd certainly want my children to own up to their misbehavior, but I guess that would be too much to ask.

im not going to say sorry and say ill stop skating cause i wont.ill admit we do tresspass and thats the issue here.also what definds tresspassing?is riding my skateboard down the sidewalk tresspassing?ive gotten tickets(which im not whining about b/c i accept that ill probally get some)for mearly skateboarding down the the street.i wasent doing tricks or going on peoples property.i was going to the store.do you think that deserves a ticket?

[thecynic]

lumpy wrote:

BY the way if you live in reading why do you care what happens in hanover.My thoughts are your an idiot who just likes to argue,Or you really live in the area and are just to much of a coward to speak unless its anonomously.

doesn't mean he lives in Reading. It's where his ISP is based.