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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch
May 3, 2013
Live Entertainment
Sunday Funday
Bloody Mary Bar
H A P P Y H O U R S P E C I A L S
D E L A W A R E L O T T E R Y G A M E S
Petition Started To Discourage OC Skate Park Plan
By JOANNE SHRINER
STAFF WRITER
5S 2C HR DE BE IN GS
OCEAN CITY – A petition has surfaced online to keep Ocean City’s landmark skate park open during its normal operating hours rather than reduce hours and shut it down during two winter months. The petition, called Stop the Planned Ocean Bowl Skate Park Closure can be found on Change.org, and as of Thursday morning had received 374 signatures of support. The proposal to reduce the skate park’s hours of operation as well as institute a two-month closure originated from the Recreation and Parks Department when it was asked to cut operating costs for the upcoming fiscal year. The recommendation was made to the Recreation and Parks Commission, which was then passed on to the full Mayor and City Council. The council voted to have the skate park operate Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend during its normal hours, which is seven days a week during daylight. The changes proposed are beginning the Tuesday after Labor Day weekend it would continue to be open on weekends, holidays and all Worcester County school days off only. The skate park will be shut down during the months of January and February completely. “This cannot be allowed to happen, especially just for the sake of saving a few bucks,” creator Mike Durkin stated in his online petition. “The Ocean Bowl is a very important part of the lives of many locals here and this town as a whole. It means a lot to us, especially the skateboarders who spend almost as much time there as they do at home or in school, even more in some cases. Skateboarding in a secure environment also keeps children off the street and out of trouble. In addition, the Ocean Bowl Skate Park is a core piece of this town's history and it would not be right to limit …” Durkin, 17, attends Worcester Preparatory School. He has lived in Ocean City his entire life and has been skateboarding for over four years. “I spend almost all my time at the skate park. I go every day after school when the weather permits and as long as I don't have too much schoolwork. I wouldn't know what to do without it,” he said. “On the days when we can't skate, my friends and I honestly have trouble coming up with things to do … the only things available in town are mini golf and movie theaters. It really doesn't leave much for kids to do in the winter.” Durkin acknowledged if the skate park is closed, skateboarders SEE PAGE 34
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