N.B. skaters will shuttle to E.B. park
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK — The township has developed a new initiative for a skateboarding program in reaction to residents who complained that the construction of a skate park in town is not moving forward.

At the Sept. 18 Township Council workshop meeting, the Molnar family inquired about the status of the park, which town officials said was on hold because of concerns over the municipal budget and increasing taxes.

As a result, Lou Ann Benson, the director of the Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services, announced that a pilot program will be held once a week on Wednesdays, Oct. 22 through Dec. 10. The department's transportation members will pick students up at Linwood Middle School at 3:30 p.m. and at the North Brunswick Township High School at 3:45 p.m. and then arrive at approximately 4 p.m. at the East Brunswick Township Skate Board Park. The skaters will be picked up again around 5:30 p.m. and arrive back at the North Brunswick Senior Center around 6 p.m. to be picked up by their parents.

The only cost incurred by the township will be for transportation, expected to cost around $540, in contrast to the $200,000 for the construction of a township skate park.

Benson said that students from grades six through 12 can register at the Department of Parks & Rec. at 710 Hermann Road, and will be issued a photo ID for $50. Students should bring a wallet size photo with them when signing up.

"We would like to see participants use this program and move forward and evaluate it for growth in the future," Benson said.

The Molnar family could not be reached by press time for further comment.

Contact Jennifer Amato at

jamato@gmnews.com.