Posted by:
Sentinel Staff
9/14/2009 8:19:38 AM
A city committee is now beginning to look for a new home for the Keene skate park, beset by vandalism and rude behavior. Should the skate park be moved? If so, where? Or, should it stay at its current location on Gilbo Avenue? If so, why?
To get the conversation started, see today's related Sentinel editorial.
10/18/2009 2:54:07 PM
Hold a meeting with the people using the skate board park. Have the group elect a board of their peers to oversee and run the park. They then could control what goes on there and contact the police if their help was needed. If the youth of Keene want the park they should be responsible for patroling and establishing rules that should be acceptable to the users and the neighborhood!
10/6/2009 2:52:02 PM
Why don't the know-it-alls who want a new skate park go build their own skate park with donations and volunteer time? That way you can become a part of a real community effort to give these kids a new hangout to dope up and destroy.
Or why don't we continue to tax this nation into depression but have nice skate parks? Then these kids will turn into tomorrow's leaders with no experience and no understanding how to get a job because they are used to having everything given to them and biting the hand that feeds them.
9/30/2009 5:48:16 PM
I understand the city cant afford to have a cop at the skate park all the time, but apparently some supervision is required. The skate park does need a considerable amount of sprucing up if it is to stay at it's current location. I do believe that it should stay downtown. If we seclude it, won't the problems just increase? Why don't we just spruce up the one we already have, and monitor it?
9/25/2009 7:40:44 AM
This is in response to Kim's statements. No, Kim, when I was 16 my mommy didn't follow me around. She didn't have to because she knew I wouldn't be causing trouble somewhere. And yes, if parents did teach their kids manners and respect, hold them accountable for their behavior, we wouldn't be having these problems in the first place.
9/23/2009 8:07:03 PM
I agree that we should make this a priority because our teens are worth it. We need to supply them with a safe and well lighted area to have fun and socialize. Lets find a model to help us with our new skate park. Yes it should be moved, perhaps even an indoor park for the winter. I must disagree, that this is not why the young people are moving away. Its about property taxes and jobs. What young person with or without college can live in Keene and get a job that will pay for a $150,000 ranch house and $7500 property tax? You would have to be making around $60k/yr. Not in this town. Its all retail for $8 to $12/hr. Soon the schools will start to cutback because there are no more young people and the older folks will move because even with no kids in school they still pay high property tax. Wake up Keene, wake up teachers. Everytime you ask for a raise, more people move. You are only hurting yourself. Thats my rant and I am sticking to it.
9/23/2009 5:11:17 PM
The teens need more "cool" places to hang out and do something besides what we currently offer, and there needs to be more monitoring but in a friendly, non-confrontational way. I honestly think many people are afraid of teenagers and their angst. Try to remember back and realize that they need to feel like valued citizens as well.
I'd love to see a teenager-focused recreational center of sorts with a new skate park, basketball court, video game stations, cheap (but not crap) food, even some air hockey and billiards. It should be for high school aged kids so it doesn't turn into kiddie-land and embarrassing, and it should be monitored by people who have a decent rapport with kids.
Teenagers are told not to loiter, are followed when they shop, are suspects before they have done anything wrong, and are feared by many of Keene's citizens. We need to give them a chance and not lump them together, perhaps having teams of teens and monitors working together so pride is involved. Perhaps the price of membership to such a place could be a certain number of hours volunteering to help monitor and clean up.
I remember the pride of the kids who got that park started. I hate what it's become, and I hate the attitude about it. As for parents policing their teens, let's be honest. Did your Mommy follow you around when you were 16 years old? I doubt it! Yes, the parents should be teaching the respect and manners, but they can't follow them around. Perhaps they, as well, could volunteer some time monitoring or building a new set.
9/22/2009 10:04:35 AM
I'll echo the fact that moving the skate park won't solve the problem...I don't see any reason to "hide away" our teens...what I do think is possible is someone in city goverment looking to other major cities with skate parks and gathering information how they best make it work.
As it is, the police in Keene are pretty tough on roaming teens...and Richard had some excellent ideas for the monitoring...let's support our kids by doing more homework instead of putting them on the bottom of the list as troublesome.
People wonder why kids leave town after they graduate...some leave because they think there is nothing here for them...it shouldn't be that way...keep the skate park.
9/22/2009 7:56:59 AM
If you think that moving the skate park is going to solve the problem, think again. And why all the blaming of law enforcement???
Where are the parents of these kids? Why aren't they "policing" them. Yet again, we expect some kind of agency to do what parents need to be doing.
9/18/2009 10:03:25 PM
The age group using the skate park has been and will always be a problem. We all need to remember that we were young once! What do we have in the area for teens to do? They can go swimming at 2 public pools, with no snack bar, and moms with the 5 year olds. The other parts of the summer public parks in Keene have counselors that monitor the behavior when they are open. They do a good job getting kids involved in some sports, but it is limited.
Remember when you were teen years, cool is good, moms are not! Girls are good! For the girls, Boys are good! Food is a must, and I need to impress everyone. I cannot be hurt, and I will live forever! Am I the only one that felt this way?
Someone said that Washington Street and 350 did not have room for the park. We are selling land to pc for parking! Ok, so who in Keene sets the priorities for the land use that the city owns? Today, pc is parking on Optical Ave and walking to work. Even the corner closest to pc will require them walking.
The skate park does not involve big amounts of land. The problem is that teens at home or in town will cause problems. Some will also get involved in activities that are not acceptable like drink and drugs! Do you want that in your back yard? Well that’s what Keene parks and recreation seems to be avoiding.
Ok, my idea would be to put the park smack in the shadow of the Keene Police Department, and run by the Keene recreation department. KPD and the recreation department should run cameras to help monitor the issues related to this park.
Seems like a win for all, and helps keep the teens from the influence to drink and drug!
9/17/2009 9:54:07 AM
Keep the skate park in its current location. Here's a plan. Spruce up the park, police the park and keep the kids where they can be seen and heard. Anything else would be a recipe for disaster.
9/14/2009 9:04:18 PM
This "controversy" wouldn't be happening at all, if we actually had real Community Policing in Keene. To see incompetence and corruption in action, just look at the Keene Police Persecutor, Eli Rivera, and his bungling of the "Freestater's" antics in Kangaroo District Court...So, as to the Skate Park, like the Cop said in your paper edition, "We get 10 calls a day"...Sure, they get a call, *DRIVE* to the Skate Park, then sit in the cruiser, toss out some lip & bad attitude, then drive off. Of course the kids act out...If the cops would actually spend some time at the Skate Park, get to know the kids, most of these problems would not have happened in the first place...I am so disgusted at the moral/ethical/mental VACUUM in the Keene City Council, and especially the Police...Why not put the new skate park at 50 Terrace St???...I hear *THAT* property is available, now...