By Sarah Moskowitz
Lynbrook Mayor Eugene Scarpato has been working for over a year to bring an outdoor skate park designed for skateboarding and in-line skating within the village boarders. Although the plans are still in the preliminary stages, Scarpato said the park will hopefully keep children off the streets.
"It's just the tip of the iceberg," said Scarpato, who organized a petition of more than 800 signatures of residents, both parents and children, supporting the construction of a skate park.
Although many villagers have endorsed the park, Scarpato has yet to officially present his idea to the Lynbrook Village Board for their approval. Although he has no set date to approach the board, the fate of the park will be determined by their vote.
If passed, the village would seek permission for a land grant from Nassau County to build the park on the county-owned property located on Ocean Avenue, next to the soccer field by Lakeview Avenue.
Residential tax dollars would pay for the construction and upkeep of the facility. Since the land is close to the Malverne village border, Malverne Mayor Anthony Panzarella has also expressed interest in the park and would like to collaborate with Scarpato.
"I love the idea," said Panzarella. "I would love to see it happen. I'm very open-minded about the proposal."
If the Lynbrook Village Board approves the skate park, Scarpato said the village would first rent skateboarding tracks, which would allow the village to assess the park's popularity before deciding to build a permanent park. For the same reason, the mayor is also considering leasing land near the Lynbrook roller hockey rink by Greis Park before making a final commitment to the Ocean Avenue location.
Concepts for the park's design are in the preliminary stage. The price of construction of the park will run between $150,000 and $300,000. This includes about five different types of skateboarding tracks, ramps and rails, which would be built to be movable and interchangeable. The ramps, made of steel, wood and a synthetic material specialized for skateboarding called Skatelite, would be no taller than about 8 feet high. Bicycle use would not be permitted because they pose a risk of damaging the equipment.
"[A skate park] would be beneficial, but they have to build it right," said Lynbrook skateboarder Brian Poole, 19. Poole went on to say the village should consider asking local skateboarders for their input before construction plans go forward.
Insurance plays a big factor in building a park for extreme sports. Scarpato said it is important that when the park is built there are no potential hazards. To prevent possible injury, helmets, knee and elbow pads would be required and full-time supervision would be provided at the park at all times. A maximum capacity number of skaters, which has yet to be decided, would be instated to prevent overcrowding. Scarpato added that the park would be free of sharp edges and bumps and gouges in the ramps.
The Lynbrook skate park would be modeled after the Baldwin Skate Park, which was opened in January 2002. Since then, the park has acquired around 3,000 members. Town of Hempstead Press Secretary Susie Trenkle called the response to the park phenomenal.
"The public reaction has been very positive," she said, attributing the park's success to its safe, supervised environment. Skaters are required to wear full safety gear and the equipment is examined between each session.
"We can be more confident that kids who are skateboarding are doing so safely," she added.
Until the park's popularity is determined, initially the park might only be available to Lynbrook residents, plus Malverne and Lakeview if they decide to participate in the project. Eventually the park could be opened to others depending on its popularity locally. The park would be open to skaters of all ages and may offer services including skate training sessions. There would be an entrance/usage fee and possibly an annual membership charge.
Scarpato stressed that no final decisions about the park have been made.
"This is all premature and has to be approved by the [Village] Board," he said.
Should the board approve the idea for a skate park, it is anticipated it would take six months to build.
