Noise complaints threaten skate board park

NEWTOWN TWP., Pa. - March 25, 2011

Condis is talking about the sound of skateboarders doing their thing at the /*skate board park*/ that opened a few months ago right across from her development along Route 413.

And she is not alone in her opinion.

Local officials say they've received dozens of complaints about the noise. And they say they do recognize this as a quality-of-life issue.

"There may be a contingency to close it down until we are able to have a more permanent situation put in place," said township manager Joseph Czajkowski.

It's an issue that puts Newtown officials in a bit of a bind.

The whole reason they built the park is to keep the skateboarders away from the local malls and schools where they were considered a nuisance. And if the park shuts down, even if it is only temporarily, the skateboarders say they will return to their old stomping grounds. But they admit they would rather not.

"This is somewhere where all the skaters come to get away. They don't get in trouble for skating here. It's almost like a skateboarding sanctuary. We're just trying to have a good time, and we do, until things like this happen and we're the bad guy," said skateboarder Kevin Cantz.

The problem with already-suggested solutions, including sound barrier enclosures, is that they would raise the price tag on a project that already cost $96,000 to build.

The skateboard noise issue is on the agenda for the Township's next meeting Wednesday night.

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