Town to Close Skate Park Until Further Notice

The skate park at Griffin Park could soon be shut down for good after the Board of Selectmen agreed on Sept. 17 to close it indefinitely pending a public hearing next week.

According to Recreation Committee Chairman Dennis Senibaldi, the skate park has become a location where there is "little if any respect for any kind of authority" for many who use it.

"It's very troubling for me," he said. "I fought over and over not to get this closed and it's just a continuous drain. As I sat there today as my kids were out back doing soccer, just listening to the swears. It disgusts me."

Senibaldi touched on other issues at the skate park, including smoking and drawing of graffiti.

He said that the last time the issue was brought up, a long list of action items to address the concerns did nothing to stop the problem.

Selectman Roger Hohenberger said that he is also in favor of closing the skate park for good, indicating that the problems have also required a lot of police attention.

"Since the start, I haven't seen anything change out there and I agree it has been a drain on the police service," Hohenberger said. "It's been an eyesore to Griffin Park. The rest of the park has been kept very neat and that has been littered with bottles.

Selectman Kathleen DiFruscia said that even closing the skate park for 24 or 48 hours hasn't helped in the past, as people will still hop the fence.

Residents are required to obtain a permit from the Town Clerk's office in order to use the skate park. Non-residents must attend an informational meeting, with those under 18 required to bring a parent or guardian.

Recreation Committee Vice Chairman Tim Kelleher requested that Windham Police Chief Lewis be at the next meeting, as Lewis has much of the data that shows what Kellher called the tax on the police department from dealing with problems at the skate park.

Lewis will likely not be available to attend a meeting for a few weeks, so the board asked for WPD Capt. Mike Caron to stand in for a public hearing on the issue.

According to Senibaldi, the skate park will close for the season in about seven or eight weeks.