Forks Skate Park Opens to Raves

The scene has been the same morning, noon and night.

On the side of the Forks Township municipal building and behind the fire station, teens gather from dawn to dusk to zip up and down ramps at the new skate park.

"I want to thank [Recreation Director] Rachel Sulzbach and the public works department for putting the skate park together," Supervisor John O'Neil said at Thursday's work session. "They did a phenomenal job."

Zoning Director Tim Weis said the skate park opened Monday.

"There were about 40 kids the first night," Weis said.

Supervisor Dan Martyak said the skate park has been "packed" every day and night. Human Resources Director Barbara Bartek said she has even seen teens there at 7 a.m.

"It's standing room only," O'Neil said. 

The skate park was included in the township's five-year parks and recreation plan. It was estimated that the skate park may cost $76,000.

Officials, though, said the township was within its skate park budget and had also applied for a $100,000 grant.