Bring back the skate park!

Janet Brock

Today as I drove past HBHS, I’m thinking about word I hear that the PTSA is opposing the location of the new skate park. This makes me sad. I have raised four kids here in HB, all went through Smith, Dwyer & HBHS. There were many, many days that my boys were out skateboarding but instead of worrying where they were and with who they were hanging- I could only drive by the old skate park to confirm they were safe. Those were the days before cell phones of course! Sometimes I would sit in my car hiden across the street at the police department just to watch all the kids. During those years, never did I witness inappropriate behavior though I do remember once some guys coming up wanting to take over and the boys that were there just sternly told the newcomers to wait their turn. As much as I wanted to run across the street to “help” they did it by themselves and continued on. It is my strong feeling that a skate park is needed in this area of HB, and being that it is across the street from the police department should give all parents a sense of relief. And I firmly believe most parents would rather know where their kids are skating and hanging out. We need more areas in the downtown area for our young people to enjoy their friends and family, why in the world would anyone not want kids hanging out? Come on now, have more faith that you have raised your kids to make the right choices. By the way, I supervised my own children, I didn’t rely on school staff or the police department to do my job. For heavens sake, what’s next, “supervision” at the mall? Be real.