On Recreational Centers and Skateboard Parks

By Rande Davis

Originally Published in the Monocacy Monocle, Volume V, Number 6, June 27, 2008.

To build or not to build, that seems to be the big question on the minds of the Poolesville Commissioners this summer. Under consideration this time is a town recreational center and skateboard park. Neither is a new topic, since both have been discussed for a long time. In fact, discussions on a town recreational center reach back to 1976 when a Community Life Center, which included an indoor pool was proposed. As you know, that was not built.

Three decades later, a recreational center is back on the table. The reason for this is rather simple. There are a lot of people who want one. Like the old commercial said, “When E. F. Hutton speaks, people listen.” Well, responsible government is a bit like that. When concerned citizens speak up, then good government needs to listen. Right now, the commissioners are listening, weighing options, and even taking some timely steps to smooth the process should a recreational center prove to be what the majority of the town’s people want. What they haven’t done is made up their minds yet. Whether one feels strongly one way or the other, now is the time to get involved. It’s highly doubtful any real decisions will be finalized before the November elections.

For my part, I have skepticism as to the viability of such a recreational center. There is irony in that since in 1976, I was a proponent of the Community Life Center. From that experience, I certainly understand why so many people have the rec center on their mind today. On the other hand, many things have changed. We now have a pool in Poolesville, a middle school with two gyms, and three of the churches have had major additions to their facilities which were designed to be used by the public not just the congregants. I also hear that two other churches are looking to expand their public space. In the era of green, is it not important to consider whether a new building is needed, especially if other infrastructures go un- or under-used?

The real question is less about a “building” than as it is about how it would be used by residents. Will all ages and demographics benefit? Will proposed uses have proven legs of longevity? I look forward to hearing more about the utility and benefit of such a building before I stand for or against its construction.

The other issue, the skateboard park, is probably an even greater hot button issue. There are many, very vocal parents joined by their children, who want the town to build a skateboard facility now. Again, responsible town leaders will fully listen as citizens speak up on the issues. Knee jerk opposition does not mean responsibility. Careful consideration needs to prove the virtue of any idea.

Whether or not a skateboard park comes to town, the fact remains that skateboards are here. Skateboarding may be to today’s youth what roller skating was to my generation. The young skateboarders are all over town in areas where they are not supposed to be. Pretending that interest in skateboarding will just go away is not the answer to the issue. On the other hand, some believe “if you build it, they will come.” Okay, but how many, how often, and how long? I remember trampoline parks in the sixties. Big pits were dug for ground-level trampoline parks and about six months later, enthusiasm waned, young people’s interest shifted, and there was nothing left but big holes in the ground.

While I have much skepticism, I think ignoring such profound interest in skateboarding is not the answer. A policy that does not provide public space for skateboarding breeds misuse by young skateboarders. They have an interest in a sport, and if the numbers are justifiable, then an introductory park should be built. If the young people want more, then we can challenge them a bit. Build a starter park now with enough challenge and diversity to comport with their interest in the sport. Such a limited park does not have to cost that much money. Reserve the space for future expansion in the event that responsible and increasing usage is proven. We need to “kick this can down the road”—the discussion has been out there far too long.

If proponents of a skateboard park believe this suggestion is too conservative and a bigger park is needed now, then let them organize as parents before them have done, like the parents of PAA, UMAC, swim teams, cheerleading teams, and others who organized, created teams, and established carpools to the facilities where competition and better facilities already exist. Later, the town may build a larger facility, but if the skate park is badly under-utilized, then removing it and moving on won’t be that unsettling and costs can be kept to a minimum.