>>Valley Patriot>>
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(02/06/07)
Methuen Kids Need Skateboard Park
Methuen Councilor Debbie Quinn
 The skate park on
Burnham Road is the only skate park location in the city
of Methuen, but that may soon change.
A committee has been set up by Methuen Mayor Bill Manzi
to investigate the possibilities of renovating the
existing location or finding a more suitable spot.
The committee, along with local parents, has met with
skateboarders from Central Catholic High School and
Methuen High School to discuss the process. The
skateboarders came to the meeting very well prepared with
handouts and a definite vision of what they would like to
see happen.
Their vision is a safe park with stairs, ledges, pipes
and ramps. These are structures that are found at local
schools that are so inviting to teens. School officials
are determined to keep boarders away from these schools,
citing that damage to the property is costly. I believe
that the kids of Methuen deserve a place to skateboard
safely.
History of Skateboarding
Skateboarding started in the early 1950’s in
California. Surfers got the idea of trying to surf the
streets. No one knows who made the first board; several
people came up with ideas at the same time. These first
skateboarders started with wooden boxes or boards with
rollerskate wheels strapped to the bottom. Skateboarding
was originally called sidewalk surfing.
Skateboarding is the act of rolling on or performing
tricks. It can be an art, hobby, sport or method of
transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and
influenced by hundreds of skateboarders throughout the
years.
Burnham Road might not be the most suitable location for
the park, for it is too secluded for security purposes.
It also borders Laurel Woods, a neatly tucked development
on the west side of Methuen. Residents of Laurel Woods
like the skateboarders, but the trash that is left behind
and the drinking and drugs that has occurred are a burden
on their quality of life.
Lt. Kevin Mahoney and myself visited Windham Skatepark
and were very impressed with the whole set-up.
The cities of Lowell and Marshfield are two other cities
that have outstanding skateboard parks. Methuen would
love to mirror those cites and come up with a safe and
fun area for this activity.
The next meeting on the skateboard park will be held at
City Hall, Wed., Feb 28, at 6:30.
The committee and local skateboarders will attempt to
look towards fundraising ideas, new locations and
donations towards the new skate park.
The skateboarders know that they have to take
responsibility and pride into this new endeavor. I’m
sure these talented and respectful kids will do the right
thing. Debbie Quinn is a West End District City
Councilor in Methuen. She is in her first term and can be
reached at drq270@yahoo.com
*Send your questions comments to ValleyPatriot@aol.com
The February 2007
Edition of the Valley Patriot
The Valley Patriot is a Monthly
Publication.
All Contents (C) 2007, Valley Patriot, Inc.
We publish 10,000 newspapers and distribute in Andover,
North Andover,
Methuen, Haverhill, Chelmsford, Georgetown, Groveland,
Boxford, Amesbury,
Lawrence, Dracut, Tewksbury, Hampton & Salisbury
Beach, and Lowell.
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