Ortonville- School is out, summer is underway, and still the Village Skate Park is closed.
The park may remain that way for the rest of the year.
‘If we don’t have people signed up, we’re not going to open,? said Village Manager John Lyons.
As of June 25, only one person had registered to use the park and paid the $20 fee. In order to open the park, Lyons said 30 sign-ups are needed by July 11. Otherwise, skateboarders and bikers can expect the park to be closed for the remainder of the year.
If the lack of interest continues next year, the park, which opened in 2004, may never open again. Lyons said he would ask Brandon Township, which owns the equipment, what they would like done with it. He speculates the equipment would be sold. Recreation Director Fred Waybrant could not be reached for comment.
Officials have employed a skate park monitor for the past several years to reduce issues at the park located at the corner of Ball and Cedar streets. Problems at the park included vandalism, profanity, drug use, noise and littering.
To help pay the monitor’s salary, village officials instituted registration and user fees two years ago.The fee schedule is $20 per skater or biker and $10 for each additional skater/biker in the same family. There is a $40 cap for a family of three or more. A day pass can be purchased for $2. Applications are available from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday at the village office, 476 Mill St. or go online at www.ortonvillevillage.com to print and fill out a registration form to bring to the village office. A parent or legal guardian must be present with identification to register users under the age of 18.
If 30 sign-ups are received and the park opens, the hours of summer operation would be 1-7 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and closed Sunday and Monday. The park will always be closed when a monitor is not present. Skateboards and scooters only would be Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Bikes only days would be Wednesday and Friday.
Police will eject from the park anyone who is trespassing.