Teens want twp. to be on board with skate park
No. Bruns. students present 500-signature petition to Twp. Council
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK - After what they said were a series of arrests for trespassing, teenagers in town are requesting the township build a new park designed for skateboarding, rollerblading, biking and scooters.

At the Township Council meeting on Dec. 17, parent Valerie Molnar asked the board members to consider constructing a safe area for kids in town to hang out. She said her and fellow parent Melissa Constantinou met with a school official after the arrests in October because all parties involved were worried about the safety of the students, and then a second meeting with the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee had the boys speak on their own behalves.

"The places we go to, we're not allowed to skate there because it's kind of illegal, and we can be arrested for it. I don't want to be arrested, and I don't think anyone else wants to be," skater Nick Molnar said.

Another skater, Austin Brown, said that because most of the skaters are minors, they don't have driver's licenses and must either get a ride or bike to South Brunswick, Princeton or New Brunswick. Joe Smoot said he travels nine miles to South River on his bicycle and then returns back for another nine miles.

"It's a long ride. I want to have energy to go to the skate park and already I'm half-dead. That's no fun," Smoot said.

Constantinou said the park would be more than just fun, because boys and girls of all ages come together for mentoring and athleticism. Valerie Molnar added that the activities keep them busy and out of trouble, and lead to competitions and skill enhancement.

"As more kids see the older people do it, they say it looks cool and they want to do it," Brown said.

"People view it as an art form," skater Martin Beckner added.

The students presented a petition with more than 520 signatures they received over a two-day period earlier in the school year, asking the town to support their idea. They went to an open house at the high school and around their neighborhoods to seek encouragement.

At this point in time, council President Bob Davis said the council would discuss the issue at their next agenda workshop this month. Afterward, council member Carlo Socio, who is the liaison to the Parks and Recreation Committee, will bring the information to his board.

In the meantime, acting Police Capt. Michael Misurell said that skating is allowed on common streets but not on property owned by governmental institutions because of liability issues as far as injuries are concerned. He also said that students should not be on school property when schools are closed.