Ortonville- The Village Skate Park will open for the 2013 season at the end of this month.
Bikes will no longer be allowed in the park, located at the corner of Ball and Cedar streets in the village. Scooters, skateboards and rollerblades will continue to be allowed in the park.
‘The park wasn’t originally designed for bikes,? said Village Manager John Lyons. ‘Typically, there are liability issues with bikes being in a small park. They take up more space and there is liability with skaters. They hit people on rollerblades and skateboards and the bikes damage the boards more, create long lines on the ramps and take up space.?
The Skate Park will officially open Tuesday, April 30, with Monitor Helen Edgerton returning to oversee the park and ensure rules are followed with no problems.
During the school year, the park is open from 3:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 p.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday. During the summer, the park is also closed Sunday and Monday, but open 1 p.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Skaters must register and can obtain a season pass from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the village office, 476 Mill St. The annual fee is $20 per skater, with a $10 fee for each additional skater in the same family and the fees are capped at a total of $40 for a family of three or more. Day passes can be obtained for $2.
Registration forms can also be found at www.ortonvillevillage.com and printed out before bringing them to the village office.
A condensed previous participant registration form is available for under 18-years-old participants registered during the 2012 season for quicker registration.
Helmets are mandatory and if the skate park monitor is not present, the park is closed. To gain access to the park, registration is necessary, as well as the pass.
‘Last year, the park worked really well with neighbors and there were no complaints,? said Lyons. ‘We are pretty happy with it.?