Politics & Government

Forks Discusses Park Enforcement Ambassador and Skate Park

Public safety committee to look into matter

Forks Township is considering an ambassador program to monitor activity at Community Park amid concerns over raucous behavior.

Police Chief Greg Dorney said he has fielded complaints from several residents about skateboarders and other youth at the park. Just recently, seven teens, ranging in age from 15 to 21, were taken into custody for mischievous behavior in the woods.

Dan Martyak, president of the Forks Township Athletic Association, suggested that the township consider hiring someone to “police” the park. The “ambassador” would be either a college student or retired person hired and paid through the recreation department for the summer.

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“I think you could probably try to squirrel a few bucks out of recreation,” said Martyak. ”Maybe staff them from 12pm to 8pm, give them a pager,” he added.

Supervisor C. David Howell said the township has discussed putting new signs at the park that would provide an emergency number to park visitors if they see suspicious or inappropriate behavior.

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“There was discussion of either the police non-emergency number or a number in the community center that would alert a monitor that there was an issue in the park,” he said.

The public safety committee will review the matter.  

Also discussed at the May 5 Board of Supervisors meeting was the creation of a township skate park.

Dorney said he often deals with skaters using unauthorized locations like the bleachers and basketball courts at Community Park but that there’s no actual place for them to skate.

“It’s an issue that’s not going to go away,” he said. “We have to figure something out. Going out there and just telling them no, no, no, no, is not working.”  

Township Parks and Recreation Director Rachel Sulzbach said plans are already in the works. Part of the plans for the township's new 42-acre park off Newlins and Richmond roads includes a skate park and in-line skate rink.


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