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| Does the area need a skate park? |
Fast forward to today and the same challenges are facing the same youth groups and even parents. One even approached me this week stating that Media needs a skate park and an outlet for the kids in the area. It's not the first time I've heard this and the frequency of the question seems to be increasing. I realize that and support the need, but it's not just going to happen. If the community is serious about a skate park whether in Media, Middleton or Upper Providence, they'll get an organization together. If they organize they can raise money, create a presence and develop a plan to see where things might go while understanding the feasibility of such a project. There may be a group out there already that has already done this that I may not know about.
So here's your chance. Let's see what the community has to say about a skate park. Perhaps shedding a little light on the matter may give us a better understanding of where things are and what may be needed to make something like this happen in the future.
I do believe the comminity needs to have a skate/bike park. The kids need a place to go and enjoy the sport. There are other comminuties that have put them in and it has always been a good thing. It keeps the kids off the street and promotes exercise. I hear more often than necessary that a kid got busted skating in the borough and now the parents need to pay a fine. What a waste of time for the police to do. Don't they have more important things to do other than go around and bust kids riding skateboards. No matter what the kids are going to want to skate and bike. If they were given a place to do it they would be off the street and the police wouldn't have to waste their time and the taxpayers money going after them. I for one would be one of the parents willing to put in some time helping with this project.
ReplyDeleteWell said!
DeleteOnly if the concrete is fairly traded at a premium union rate from Indonesia.
ReplyDeleteLOL!
DeleteWe have a skate park at Third and West St.
ReplyDeleteI believe the no skate board ordinance is too restrictive,but some idiots have ruined it by their disregard for private property.After all why is there no ban on Roller blading?The kids have nothing to do,Baloney.
Exercise?play wiffle ball go to media field. Play pickup ball,capture,kick the can.Just a bunch of slackers.But would love to see one if it is placed at parks edge .
It is unfair and rude to call these kids you don't know slackers. Everyone enjoys different things. Some like to chase balls while some like to ride bikes or skateboards and some like to go hike in the woods.
Deletegood build a ramp in YOUR yard!
DeleteI'd rather see a dog park.
ReplyDeleteI moved to Media a little over 2 years ago, and I was very surprised that there isn't a dog park. I think it's a more feasible project, and could benefit the community as much as a skate park.
ReplyDeleteAgreed!
DeleteReally? You guys are shifting to a dog park? For God's sake, kids needing a place to hang out is a little more important than providing a place for your dogs to poop. I've lives in Media since I was 9 years old. I'm 25 now. My cousins who love in Media are teenagers. Other than milling around the elementary school, they don't really have anywhere to go. I don't think it's appropriate for the high school kids to congregate at the elementary school, for a number of reasons. All Media has is bars & restaurants. This place is a prison if you're under 21. I was desperate to escape when I was 18, so I went far away for college. Coming back, I see Media isn't so bad now that I can hang out in places in town. A skate park with a little indoor spot to hang out in for minors would go a long way for the gangs of bored teens roaming around... Gangs who end up smoking tons of weed out of their boredom, lending reasons behind Penncrest's nickname "Potcrest."
ReplyDeleteLets get the 3rd Street Bridge rebuilt first before we start to entertain the notion of building a skate park.
ReplyDeleteA skate park within the boro limits would be awesome. Having grown up at the Jersey shore in the 80's I have a respect for this. In addition to giving kids more to do, it would enhance Media's cool quotient.
ReplyDeleteWell said!
DeleteAre we really trying to re divert this to the Third Street Bridge and to a dog park. We have Hauptman Park, Rose Tree Park and the state park all with in a few minutes of Media to walk a dog. I think these parks are perfect for dog walking. The Third Street Bridge.....well let's leave that out of it because neither of these topics even relate to getting a skate park for thses talented kids who are under so much restriction from doing a sport they love. I recently had to go to district court for my kid that got a skateboarding ticket. He was subject to working it off through community service. The community service program had my child in Chester picking up garbage and he told me he came across needles and small baggies and asked me what they were for. I want to keep that away from my child. But instead he was exposed to it because of a stupid unnecessary skateboarding ordinance. I can appreciate the ordinance being in affect near the court house of State St. until 4pm. But he was approached by the MPD at 5:30pm trying to come home on Orange St. and Balt. Pike. It is ridiculous. I asked the MPD officer Egan what the specifics were in regards to the equipment the ordinance is opposed to. DOES EVERYONE KNOW THAT RAZOR SKOOTERS, SKOOTERS OF ANYSORT, RIPSTICKS AND SKATEBOARDS ARE ALL PART OF THE ORDINANCE. Now I see plenty of kids riding Razor skooters around that are under 10 years old. Some of the kids are as young as 7. Do you want your 7 -10 year old doing community service in Chester for 3 Sunday's because they were taking part in an outdoor sport??? I don't even want my 14 year old out doing that but he had to or we had to pay a $96.00 fine.
ReplyDeleteThis town needs an outlet for the teens. Yes we do have a teen center that promotes mostly indoor activities. I want my child to be outside. I want him to be exercising and not getting in trouble for this. MEDIA NEEDS A SKATEPARK/BMX PARK. I THINK THE MONEY THEY COLLECT ON FINES FOR THIS SHOULD BE USED TO BUILD ONE. The ordinance has been in place since 1990. So there has been plenty of money collected by the borough to support this. All children form elementary age to teen age are subjected to this problem. It seriously needs to be rectified. I had to pull my kid out of school for court so he could be reprimanded by picking up biological drug waste in Chester.
Kids can not drive. If you want a dog park drive to Rose Tree Park. My kid can't drive there and I wouldn't want him to walk there. If you want the Third Street Bridge fixed talk to council who dropped the ball on this. It has nothing to do with the kids of this town!
Very well said, couldn't agree more!
DeleteI absolutely agree. My son is 14 and loves to skate. I think it would be very beneficial to Media to build a skatepark!
DeleteLadies and Gentleman, Family and Friends,
ReplyDeletePlease, let us keep in mind our priorities crucial to this town’s wellbeing and prosperity. The Third Street Bridge remains as a cumbersome issue that should be the focus of all who have endured decades of dreadful mismanagement by Media’s leaders. A skate park is a wonderful idea and I’m sure will have due process.
I leave asking the great audience that reads this town blog to remember: F U DAVIDSON!
very mature
DeleteMedia is such a great town and has the capability to have it all, skate park, dog park and finaly finish the 3rd St. bridge. Ask the right people, get a petition etc., whatever it takes. I recently had to relocate because of work but am still in favor of it , hoping to return one day to Delco's little gem of a town. The above mentioned projects would only improve Media.
ReplyDeleteWell said JB!
DeleteOnce Media gets a skate park it will finally be perfect.
ReplyDeletetrue!
DeleteA skate park where skaters could skate legally? Perfect. I had to pay a big fine when my son skateboarded in Media. I wasn't very happy about it.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn’t be against a skate park in Media given a few stipulations.
ReplyDelete1) It would need to close at dusk every day.
2) It would need to be run in a cooperative manner by the parents of the children wishing use the skate park. The borough would lease the space to the parent group for $1 a year or something nominal like that, but the parents (and their children) would take on the responsibility for any liability resulting from accidents, construction and maintenance of all structures in the park, ensuring that the skate park remain drug, alcohol, and tobacco free, supervising the activity taking place, and making sure the park remain free of litter at all times.
I don’t want to default to curmudgeon mode right away, but I generally see a skate park as a magnet for unsavory activity. I think if the parents who want a skate park for their children can make sure it doesn’t’ result in a loss of quality of life for the rest of us, then I can’t reasonably tell them to not have a skate park. I just don’t want turning into a nuisance factory, which just about every skater from my high school would have done given a chance to use a stake park in an unsupervised manner.
In today's society, if you want a New service, particularly recreation, it must be funded through a public private partnership. I am suggesting those who want a skate park should set up a 501C3 and figure out how to find both the construction and the ongoing operation, supervision and maintenance.
DeleteThe entire reason for the skatepark would be to keep these kids busy, and skating. My son is 14, and loves to skateboard. There is no place in Media they are allowed to skate legally. He has had his board confiscated by the Media Police before and I had to go with him to the station to pick it up. Even the officer we talked to said he knows the kids aren't doing anything bad, and that they just want to skate, but he said it's the ordinance.
DeleteThe way I look at it is these kids will be exercising, and expressing their love for skating. As a parent I want my son to be as busy as he can be so he can stay away from alcohol/drugs/tobacco, etc. Paines Skateboard Park is almost finished in Philadelphia. The people on that committee were able to raise 4 million dollars, and in the past couple weeks another 12 grand just from donors like myself who donated towards this fund because I think it's an important cause to teenagers and kids keeping busy and skating. There are also skateparks in Delaware County in Chichester and Havertown. BOTH of these skateparks are literally directly behind police stations. I think that is a great idea too just so the kids know that they are being supervised by the law. All these kids want to do is skate this is not a ploy to meet at the park and do drugs/drink/smoke. If I can find out how to even start petitioning this I would definitely jump on board to help organize what could be a great thing for Media Borough.
I grew up in Media,at the time there was no skateboard ordinance but there was also not the level of property damage that seemed to grow as skateboarding became more popular.But the ordinance grew from that issue,is it(ord) too extreme yes!Why is roller blading allowed? Or how about roller skating?Regardless of time of day, skate boarding should be disallowed at any public or private venue the owner of said property deems,e.g. Courthouse.
ReplyDeleteI think it is great that kids perform physical activity, skateboarding being one of them.
As far as milling around that is what kids like to do."Nothing to do"..the refrain of youth from the start of time.Without sounding like Mr. "damn this generation" I must say we worked at part time jobs , we Played basketball at Media school,street hockey and softball at Media field sledded at the park,went to movies, chased girls etc.
I know all kids are not interested in sports and it seem the chance to play HS sports has become more and more difficult as the level of skill now requires countless hours of practice ,camps, instruction etc.
May I offer a sports alternative that many may not understand or realize.
the Media youth rugby program is open to kids from midddle school through HS. Practice is held two times a week ,ALL kids play ,and the coaches are great. Cost is minimal,spring season only. I have seen young boys develop confidnece and a new group of friends.When your young one goes off to college they will have a sport and a group of friends as soon as they hit campus.(too many kids play sports and never play again beyond HS). I am 55 and still get in an oldtimers game at least twice a year.You do not have to be a jock,many band kids have played for us over the years,and skateboarders being the dare devils that they are would love it.As a matter of fact we lost two kids last year due to non rugby injuries,one SKATEBORDER broke his wrist,another broken collar bone snow boarding.
With real estate cost so high in Media I doubt this park can happen.
I love our youth and always want the best for them.But some time they need a little kick in the butt. Matt Heavens PHS 76..
Smart post. Seriously.
DeleteI like what Media Mike said. I think If us parents do our job and monitor the kids activity it could work. And the annual fee for maintenance is a great idea. It would be nice for the kids that love this sport to have a non-restricted area to play their sport. It is unfair for an ordinance to be in place without an alternative.
ReplyDeleteThe reason I said I'd like a dog park is because I'm tired of the borough dog owners letting their dogs off of their leashes and letting them shit and piss on the side walk.
ReplyDeleteThere are plenty of parks, courts, and activities to keep teens busy. Skaters can make do with their home built ramps.
As a dog owner and walker of my dog in the borough, the people who don't pick up the poop of their dog irk the hell out of me. It really takes about 30 seconds to pick up the dog poop and get it into any one of dozens of trash cans. I wish the police and/or meter maids would start writing citations for non-cleaning of dog poop as well.
DeleteI used to own a dog. Now she is in doggie heaven. But I couldn't stand it when people would leave the dog poop all over. I agree it only takes a minute to clean up. And a dog park would be nice but we do have many resources available for that. Hauptman park is two blocks away from Baltimore Pike and completely underutilized. It is walking distance from the town center. For those residents who don't drive it is a stones throw away.
DeleteMedia has become a mecca for pet owners.Apt owners would not allow pets in almost all cases,but that has changed and Media is being over run by too many people who should not be owning pets,feral cats...the smell in the 400 blk of W. Jefferson St. Is horrlble in the summer.
ReplyDeleteSave the animals commercials run day and night on TV and in an attempt to feel like they are helping adopt and adopt and the cycle grows..even when scooped poop remnents reamin..urine drenches the poles and lawns in the area..unscoopable pee,..the health. Hazards grow ..I will NEVER eat at dining under the stores nor will I set foot in the FMCU coffee shop as the owner allows dogs inside despite this being a health code violation.Complained to code enforcement..the hunched back fella and he just ignored me.
I believe that Media should have a skatepark. AND a dog park. AND finally fix the Third Street Bridge. But this blog post was about a skatepark, so let's focus on the topic, shall we?
ReplyDeletethank you!
DeleteThe only way for a skatepark with the land needed is if a Private Land Owner builds and opens one! Maybe MRE would consider this on one of their vacant lots, like Balt Pike between Manchester and Radnor. It could include an outdoor section and indoor for colder months.
ReplyDeleteMRE didn't become MRE by building skateparks on vacant land. The most laughable idea I heard ever.
DeleteDo you mean the Media slumlords, who let beautiful victorian houses in Media go to crap and then tear them down to sell the land. Or the MRE who lets some of their residents freeze in the winter time. I will never rent from them again. They are a joke!
DeleteI think the question is What do you consider "Media"? The borough is very small with very little open space that is publicly owned. If you mean "Media" by definition of postal address, there is a good option in Rose Tree Park with tons of space for both a dog park and skate park. The county build a dog park in Upper Darby, maybe the dog walking group could try that avenue.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it's not 'in town' but Rose Tree could be better utilized. It would be an idea place to develop a skatepark, playground, dog park, running tracks, even semi-permanent food vendors.
DeleteI love that idea, but don't think I would consider letting my 13 year old walk to Rose Tree Park. It is not easy to get there. Ofcourse I would drive him, but I work too and fear that he may try to walk that distance on his own. Apparently, Media has enough open space for banks, $600,000. homes and so forth to collect property tax revenues on, why not give back to the kids instead of padding their wallets!
DeleteWhy Rose Tree Park? Just curious as this location is used so frequently for flea markets, street fairs, music fests, etc that could cause some frustration during the nice weather. Why not Glen Providence Park? There's got to be an area within there that could be developed fairly for both a skate park and a dog park that seems reasonable. I agree the kids need a place to go - but as a parent who has taken young children to swing over at the Media Elementary playground, there needs to be some common sense parenting done for these tween-age kids who do nothing but sass mouth authority figures. The language used by these gutter mouths is worse than truck drivers. I agree perhaps the ordinance is overly strict - is there any way to get position statements from current council members on this issue? I'd really be interested in Mr. Davidson's opinion on the possibility of a skate park as part of Glen Providence.
ReplyDeleteYour own sass mouth comments about Mr. Davidson aside, I agree with you on how some of these "kids" speak to adults. That is why I suggested that any skate park have to be staffed by the parents of the kids who are going to use it.
DeleteI totally think that all kids should respect authority. But when you were 13, how much fun was it to push your limits. I do think they should act appropriate when authority figures approach them, but it is something that comes with maturity. And they are still growing. I saw my 15 year old go through it a couple years ago where he would push his limits with adults, but he is much better now. When I frequent the playground with my younger kids, often I will notice my older kids' friends at the playground and over hear them using foul language. I say something to them. I remind them that there are younger ears. If I see them getting out of hand, I mention something. Perhaps it is easy for me to say cause I have known these kids since they were tots, but I personally think you should remind older kids of how to behave. Let's not forget they are just kids and their parents are probably working. Sometimes it takes a village. I must say, that every time I see them skating on the playground I tend to tell them not to get caught by the cops and to have a look out. It is terrible to suggest that. I want the kids to know the cops are there for them if they need them not to duck and hide. But, I'm not trying to pay a fine for a stupid outdated ordinance that needs to be revisited or a solution, (such as a skate park) found.
DeleteWow, it looks like the majority here would like to see a skate park. How do we get this thing started? I am an neighboring Upper Providence Resident. When I say neighboring, I am 2 blocks out of the borough. Do we ask council about this? Let's get this in the works. I am all for it! I am tired of seeing these kids get into trouble for just having fun. For the most part they are good kids that are just trying to have fun. If you give them a place to skate legally then it will calm down the commotion at the playground. Everyone, whose child uses the facility should have to sign a waiver at the MPD saying they are responsible for any injury occurring to their child and pay an annual fee of I don't know $10.00 for maintenance. It could be run by the recreation department. Each year for all the kids that are registered to use the park could pay the dues, and it could be maintained and updated. It could be run like the playroom in a sense, it would be nice if something could be built near the tot lot at the police station so it could be monitored and if an injury occurred, help is close by. So lets stop talking about it and do something about it. I don't know where to begin but I'm ready to help!
ReplyDeleteMy son was just stopped by a cop and Told it was illegal to skate anywhere in media. Is this true and where can I see this law in print? Thanks
ReplyDeleteYou can contact the Mayor of Media, Bob McMahon for explanation. He can be contacted at chartfive@aol.com
Delete