WINDHAM - The Windham Board of Selectmen granted a reprieve to the skate park at Griffin Park.

Police Chief Gerald Lewis and the Windham Recreation Committee recommended permanent closure of the skate park following complaints of swearing, excessive trash, and skaters violating rules requiring that helmets be worn.

A good number of the skaters abide by the rules and are pleasant to deal with, Lewis said.

“The issues at hand are not about them,” Lewis said.

Police respond to the park at least 50 times during the season to deal with a “never-ending supply of issues” including helmet violations, trespassing, trash and conduct, Lewis said.

The skate park is located in the gateway to Griffin Park that young families must pass to use the park, Lewis said. They witness foul language and lack of respect to authority figures when it occurs, he said.

If rules or circumstances at the park change, Lewis said he was willing to work on a resolution.

“As it exists today, it’s taxing the resources we have,” Lewis said.

A few skaters pleaded their case.

“It’s a safe haven for us to practice what we love,” said Gerald Ventola, 15. It’s really important to me and my friends, and I know it’s important to a lot of people,” Ventola said.

His father, Peter, said he drives skaters to the park all summer long and is disappointed that the town would let a few bad incidents ruin it for all the skaters.

“Definitely something needs to be done, but I don’t think we’re at the point of having to close it,” Ventola said.

David Hutchins, a senior at Windham High School, asked the board to reconsider closing the park.
“In my opinion, the skate park is one of the best things that was ever built in this town,” Hutchins said.

The park is a safe environment to enjoy their sport, Hutchins said. He suggested that everyone work together to find a solution instead of closing the park.

“I love it. My friends love it, and I think that tearing it down is a very bad idea,” Hutchins said.

Rep. Charles McMahon asked the board to find alternatives. The park was built with $60,000 in donations as part of a cohesive plan to develop community, he said.

“I don’t believe we should punish all for the actions of a few,” McMahon said.

He suggested restricting park use to residents and making helmets optional.

Chairman Bruce Breton agreed that the park is over-regulated. About 70 percent of the calls begin with helmet violations, he said, and pointed out that no one came to speak in favor of closing the skate park. It may be time to empower the skaters to police the park, Breton said.

“We have not sat down with the people from the skateboard park once,” Breton said.

Selectman Roger Hohenberger said he would consider saving the park if volunteers stepped forward to police it.

“I’m convinced that the only thing that will work is adult supervision,” Hohenberger said.

Dennis Senibaldi, chairman of the Recreation Committee, argued that it was time to close the skate park or move it out of Griffin Park. Supervising the area is a constant battle and it’s become a blight on Griffin Park,” Senibaldi said.

“I don’t want to have to see this close, but that park is for everybody,” Senibaldi said.

Selectman Phil LoChiatto made a motion to close the park until volunteers come forward with an action plan. Once implemented, the plan would have a six-week trial period.
The skate park was scheduled to close in 40 days but will remain closed until next spring.