Building a better skate park

Just two months after its opening, feedback is still pouring in about the Valley Stream skate park off of Sunrise Highway, near the Long Island Rail Road station. Several community members have expressed mixed feelings about the park, and village officials have begun to make some adjustments.

“We are working with the skateboard community, and they came back with a lot of feedback,” said Deputy Village Clerk Bob Fumagelli, who is continuing to work on improving the park.

So far, officials have added more obstacle pieces under 24 inches tall each, including ledges and grind rails, Fumagelli said. “We wanted to start small, and see what happens, and keep it portable so the skaters can arrange it to their liking,” he said. In addition, the park is now open to not only skateboarders, but patrons who use scooters and roller blades, though the latter represents a very small percentage of park users, he added.

The village board has also modified the protective equipment rules for each age group, according to Fumagelli. Children age 13 and under are required to wear helmets, wrist guards and knee and elbow pads, which can be rented for a small fee. The rules get less restrictive for teenagers and young adults. As of now, two patrons had minor ankle injuries, which are a normal occurrence in the skateboarding and many other sports, Fumagelli said.

Staff from the Mass Transit skate shop on Rockaway Avenue are working with village officials. Their collaboration has already yielded some cosmetic changes, including the addition of new obstacles. Though those changes are great to see, said manager Justin Jean, there is still more to be done to create a more-appealing and exciting park.

Skaters would like to see a drop in fees — $18 per year for village residents and $55 for Central High School District residents — and less strict regulations, including one requiring no helmets, Jean said. “I understand the reason for charging for the park, and if it does well, they can invest in a permanent park,” he said, adding that he wants to see more obstacles added by the year’s end.

Valley Stream South High School senior Anthony Savillo skates at the park once or twice a week. He has mixed reaction to the changes. “I like that they have changed some rules since the beginning but I really dislike how I still have to wear a helmet,” he said. The village’s Public Safety officers, who monitor the park, can be a distraction, he added.

Peter Costanzo, a South High junior, said his feelings have changed for the better due to the park’s new additions. Though he skates once or twice a week there, he would love to see a pyramid and a half pipe added.

However, Andrew Trager said he does not plan on using the skate park. At least not until Valley Stream creates a permanent, cement one like that of Nickerson skate park in Lido. “If the [village] is going to put a skate park in place they need to do it right,” he said. “If an actual skate park was made, I’d use it.”

Fumagelli said that though safety is a top priority, so is enjoyment. He believes skateboarding helps children and teenagers to develop confidence and friendships, which is why it is important to build a community-friendly park. “It’s an ongoing process, as we are going to modify,” he said, “and adjust to the needs of the village.”

New skate park rules

1. The village now allows in-line skates at the skate park.
2. The village now allows scooters, but those with a metal deck cannot be used on the grind rails equipment since the metal deck will damage the rails. Scooters with a fiberglass and wood deck can be used on all the equipment.
3. The village will provide, for a fee, protective equipment including helmets, knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards.
4. All members of Village Skate Park will be allowed to bring guests from other local communities for a fee of $3 per guest.