There's a lot of discussion going on about the skatepark located at Yowell Meadow Park. Here's an update:
I serve on the Town Council Parks and Recreation Commission. This is a committee of concerned citizens that serve as an advisory committee for the Town Council on issues that affect the Parks and Recreation Department of the Town of Culpeper.
Last night's meeting included follow-up on the issues surrounding the town skatepark. The skatepark has been in the middle of controversy for at least a year due to damage to the park's ramps, skaters/bikers not wearing helmets, vulgar/obscene language used at the park and and a disregard for allowable equipment (ie, non-pegged bicycles) used at the park. The damage at the park has been caused by pegged BMX bikes being used on the ramps in combination with the detoriation due to water damage. The park is built in a flood plain and occasionally is submerged under water during heavy rains.
The town required our commission to create ordinances for the park and its users. These ordinances are more than just rules posted on a sign now because the police can actually issue citations for ordinances not being upheld by the skaters/bikers. The flip-side of the ordinances is that it seems the police department will likely not make it a priority to enforce the ordinances as they are busy protecting the community from more serious crimes.
The ordinances we created include the following two major points:
1 - All users are required to have a permit to use the park. The permit for Culpeper Town and County residents is free and it's $20 for residents of other areas.
2 - Skaters/bikers are advised (not required) to wear helmets and protective gear.
Aside from all of this, it is obvious SCOOP (Skate Culpeper On Our Park) needs to play a larger role in creating positive community awareness and support for the skatepark. Tabitha Riley, from the County P&R Dept. and member of SCOOP was present at the meeting as was Jack Maher, a former owner and operator of a skatepark, who is willing to become involved in supporting the skatepark and SCOOP. I suggested that I begin meeting with Jack, Tabitha, Bob Leftwich (owner of Bike Stop, Board Member of SCOOP) and other members of SCOOP to see how SCOOP can begin serving as a more productive advocacy group for the skatepark. The bottom line is that we need more involvement in SCOOP from the young people in our community who use the skatepark and we need more involvement from the local businesses supporting SCOOP through sponsorships, etc. SCOOP needs to be able to raise funds to assist with maintenance of the skatepark and they need to be able to play a large role in monitoring the activities (ie, disregard for the ordinances) at the skatepark.
If you're interested in getting involved, add a comment with your contact info or shoot me an email at pastorgw (at) cityonahillculpeper (dot) org.
I serve on the Town Council Parks and Recreation Commission. This is a committee of concerned citizens that serve as an advisory committee for the Town Council on issues that affect the Parks and Recreation Department of the Town of Culpeper.
Last night's meeting included follow-up on the issues surrounding the town skatepark. The skatepark has been in the middle of controversy for at least a year due to damage to the park's ramps, skaters/bikers not wearing helmets, vulgar/obscene language used at the park and and a disregard for allowable equipment (ie, non-pegged bicycles) used at the park. The damage at the park has been caused by pegged BMX bikes being used on the ramps in combination with the detoriation due to water damage. The park is built in a flood plain and occasionally is submerged under water during heavy rains.
The town required our commission to create ordinances for the park and its users. These ordinances are more than just rules posted on a sign now because the police can actually issue citations for ordinances not being upheld by the skaters/bikers. The flip-side of the ordinances is that it seems the police department will likely not make it a priority to enforce the ordinances as they are busy protecting the community from more serious crimes.
The ordinances we created include the following two major points:
1 - All users are required to have a permit to use the park. The permit for Culpeper Town and County residents is free and it's $20 for residents of other areas.
2 - Skaters/bikers are advised (not required) to wear helmets and protective gear.
Aside from all of this, it is obvious SCOOP (Skate Culpeper On Our Park) needs to play a larger role in creating positive community awareness and support for the skatepark. Tabitha Riley, from the County P&R Dept. and member of SCOOP was present at the meeting as was Jack Maher, a former owner and operator of a skatepark, who is willing to become involved in supporting the skatepark and SCOOP. I suggested that I begin meeting with Jack, Tabitha, Bob Leftwich (owner of Bike Stop, Board Member of SCOOP) and other members of SCOOP to see how SCOOP can begin serving as a more productive advocacy group for the skatepark. The bottom line is that we need more involvement in SCOOP from the young people in our community who use the skatepark and we need more involvement from the local businesses supporting SCOOP through sponsorships, etc. SCOOP needs to be able to raise funds to assist with maintenance of the skatepark and they need to be able to play a large role in monitoring the activities (ie, disregard for the ordinances) at the skatepark.
If you're interested in getting involved, add a comment with your contact info or shoot me an email at pastorgw (at) cityonahillculpeper (dot) org.
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