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Reminder Assistant Editor EAST LONGMEADOW The dream of ELSPO, to build a skate park in town, is one step closer to becoming a reality. The East Longmeadow Skate Park Organization (ELSPO) recently met with Planning, Zoning and Conservation Director Robyn MacDonald, School Superintendent Edward Costa, Police Chief Doug Mellis, Selectman Jim Driscoll and others to discuss a location for a proposed skate park for skateboarders of all ages. The original location of an old basketball court on high school property is still being discussed. Costa spoke about the possibility of locating the skate park on school grounds as long as certain guidelines were followed. These included supervision of the park, evaluating and adherence to state statutes for use of school grounds, vandalism of the park or campus and who would be responsible for repairs and security of the park. A new location, near the ball fields on Maple Court, was proposed and approved of by those in attendance at the meeting. The location will only be officially dedicated to a skate park once zoning has been approved of during a Town Meeting. "In a meeting with Robyn, she said she and everyone else in town feels the park could be considered a playground, so no zoning change may be needed," ELSPO organizer Deanne Daggett said. "We all agreed that visibility is a big issue," she continued. "We discussed several sites and the amount of space required to put in a skate park that will maintain the interest of the skaters ... The town center is ideal as a location." After the meeting ended, Daggett and fellow ELSPO members Roger Cameron and Sue Rauscher visited the site and agreed there would be adequate space for the park there. "The location certainly is ideal," Daggett stated, "and we would not be taking space away from any current use (or 'plan')." With approximately 50 percent of the students who attend the high school and Birchland Park Middle School, a centrally located skate park would allow for easy access for older skateboarders, according to Costa. Driscoll seconded this location as an ideal spot for the skate park when presenting an update on its plans to the Board of Selectmen at their Dec. 18 meeting. Other spots discussed included an area behind the Friendly's Restaurant on North Main Street and a small area near the St. Michael's Family Center on Maple Street. In addition to the location, insurance and liability for the skate park were discussed as well. Bob Marinelli, a Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA) representative, told those in attendance that the town has adequate coverage for a skate park and, provided there is no entrance fee, the town would own the skate park and if the park is maintained in good condition, East Longmeadow is protected under the recreational use clause. Cameron will be working with Marinelli to update the MIIA guidelines because the current rules are "antiquated," according to Daggett. Marinelli added that MIIA "strongly recommends that the skate park be fenced and closed at night." He explained that through warrants and signage stating the park is donated by and maintained by ELSPO, the liability for maintenance would be taken away from the town. "Obviously, this would require an ongoing commitment by the skaters and their parents," Daggett said. "However, my opinion is this may give the kids some sense of ownership, responsibility and pride in 'their' skate park." She added that all fundraising efforts have been halted because of the difficulties finding a location. Now that a tentative location has been confirmed, efforts to raise funds will begin again. ELSPO plans to meet again sometime in mid-January. New fundraising events will be discussed at this meeting. |
