The county's skateboard park in Ellicott City, criticized by some neighbors since it opened in April as noisy and unsafe, is now under fire from a resident who wants it moved and a County Council member who questions whether graffiti at the site is allowed under county law.

The "skate spot," a 5,700-square-foot concrete pad with ramps and other skateboard apparatus on the north side of Centennial park, has been criticized by nearby residents for noise and safety hazards.

Some residents also took issue with graffiti covering the area. Parks officials originally said they anticipated the graffiti and would tolerate it, but in late November, crews removed 14 graffiti-covered plywood panels that had lined the surrounding fence.

Ellicott City resident Rick Wilson, who lives near the park, this week asked County Executive Kenneth Ulman to move the skate spot to a less problematic location.

In written testimony submitted to Ulman prior to the county executive's Dec. 16 budget planning public hearing, Wilson outlined the concerns he and some of his neighbors share about the skate spot, including safety, graffiti, noise, after-hours trespassing, trash, and residents' observations of fireworks, public urination and drug and alcohol use at the site.

Wilson said there are more appropriate locations for a skate spot, including other areas in the more heavily trafficked part of Centennial Park, at the racquetball courts in Cedar Lane Park East, or at Meadowbrook Park or Alpha Ridge Park.

"I think local residents have made it clear that mutual respect has not been afforded us and I respectfully ask you to consider acting on your words and consider moving the equipment to a more appropriate location," Wilson wrote.

Watson: Graffiti illegal

Graffiti at the skate spot -- which remains on the pavement and ramps -- also concerns County Council chairwoman Courtney Watson, who represents Ellicott City. Under county and state laws, graffiti is considered defacing public property and is a misdemeanor punishable by fines and imprisonment.

In a letter to Recreation and Parks leaders Dec. 2, Watson said that if officials want to make an exception for graffiti at skateboard parks, then the matter should be brought to the council and residents should be able to weigh in.

"It appears that there is no authority under the law to allow graffiti to occur at the skate spot," she wrote.

A spokesman for Ulman said the executive has not made any decisions regarding Wilson's testimony, Watson's suggestion or changes to the skate spot.

Watson said she has received many complaints about the park from residents.

"The question is not should we have skate parks, it's where they should go," she said. "In my opinion, this is too close to homes."

Advocate: Park 'a blessing'

Debate over the skate spot's future comes as a letdown to one of the teens who lobbied for its creation and assisted in its design.

Dorsey's Search resident Dan Lesko, 18, said he would be disappointed if the skate spot were shut down or relocated.

"As far as getting out to find a spot to freely skate, this has been a blessing," Lesko said. "Since I think of it as my park, in a way, I try really hard to respect the rules.

"I do kind of sympathize with the neighbors who say the noise is so bad they can't stand it anymore. ... But I kind of feel they're trying to blow it out of proportion a little bit."

Lesko said he's not sure who is using the park after hours, but that skating after dark is nearly impossible.

"You can't see the board beneath you; you can't see the ramp under you -- it gets dangerous," he said. "I've never been there after dark and I'm friends with just about everyone who skates there and no one's ever said to me, 'Hey let's go hang out there after dark.' It might be kids who live right there in that neighborhood."

The park's graffiti, he said, was mainly done by "street artists" -- a contingent separate from the skateboarders for the most part.

"I didn't see any reason for those boards to be taken down. It was artistic expression. It wasn't Satan killing babies or anything," he said. "I kind of thought the added color to the park made it more interesting to skate there."

user comments (6)

user belovedcartoonmouse says...

I called this! The skate park will be moved to a less problematic location: i.e., not Howard County. Sorry kids. Rich adults don't like you. They won't come out and directly say it, but rest assured it is true. You affect their property value. Also, you're scary. Enjoy it while it lasts, because it will not last long.

Posted 9:07 PM, 12.22.09 | Permalink

user belovedcartoonmouse says...

Meanwhile, other activities for adults at County parks will continue. Big lights will shine until 11pm at least 4 times a week. There will be cheering, whistles, screaming, cursing, some fighting and, despite a County prohibition to the contrary, alcohol. This we tolerate. But that dang skatepark has to go.

Posted 9:10 PM, 12.22.09 | Permalink

user mdl7 says...

Alpha Ridge Park!!!! These friggin' former hippies need to put the bong down. They actually want kids to trek across I70 on to route 99 to get to a park? And how much is it gonna cost the county to move a park that is mostly made of concrete? I hope that money is not getting taken away from any other programs. No, I cannot say that I understand what the neighbours are going through - but, at least the kids are not at the malls and plazas running pedestrians over.

Posted 8:05 AM, 12.23.09 | Permalink

user belovedcartoonmouse says...

I don't understand why the rich adults want to move the kids to the park next to the landfill. I would think they would want to move the skatepark into the landfill itself.

Posted 6:43 PM, 12.23.09 | Permalink

user duffinator says...

Lets remove the skatepark and put up some public housing. Let these poor homeowners get a taste of what Columbians endure! We would love to have a safe place for our kids to play. A little tag art is the least of our worries.

Posted 4:49 AM, 12.28.09 | Permalink

user independent says...

Before you vote for your next county level official, check out their position on subsidized housing. If there is a county official who does not require a component with each increase in residential density, her/his position is not well known.

Posted 6:25 AM, 12.28.09 | Permalink