Ortonville- Spring is here, and with warmer weather there are more outdoor activities, but will there be activity at the Skate Park?
Kay Green, village councilmember and chairperson of the Skate Park committee, plans to take a proposal to the village council at 7 p.m., Monday, March 24, at the Brandon Township offices, 395 Mill St. Green was reluctant to discuss details of the proposal prior to presenting it to councilmembers, but said she will suggest the village pay for supervision at the park during hours of operation.
‘We’re going to suggest we pay the volunteers, at least until school is out and decide where we’re going from there,? she said. ‘We’re trying to make it livable for the neighbors, and for the kids to enjoy the Skate Park.?
The Skate Park committee was formed last summer to discuss solutions to problems at the park that have included indecent exposure, smoking, drugs, foul language and more.
The park was closed July 27 due to the issues and remained closed for much of the summer, before reopening with limited hours and supervision by volunteers.
The committee met on a weekly basis for several weeks and brainstormed ideas to resolve the problems. A 10-foot concrete wall separating the park from a neighbor, 10-12 foot chainlink fencing, and motion detectors seemed to be the final suggestions last season as the least costly options. The plan had an estimated cost of nearly $20,000, as opposed to a suggestion to move the skate park out to the new community park at Oakwood and Hadley roads, which would likely cost more than $40,000, without benches or landscaping; however, the fencing, concrete wall, and motion detectors have been abandoned as a solution.
‘The additional fencing and security lights discussed last season have been taken off the table,? said Green.
The Skate Park has not officially opened, but could be opened after Monday’s council meeting, with proposed hours of 4 p.m.-8 p.m., Monday through Saturday until school is out.