Skateboard Park Could Return by the Summer

Mayor Jay Gillian reported to City Council on Thursday that the city has a design for a new skateboard park and that it could be put in place by the summer.

Gillian said the skateboard facility would be part of a project that includes resurfaced shuffleboard courts and the addition of pickleball courts on city-owned land near Sixth Street and Boardwalk that currently includes a municipal parking lot, the Ocean City Civic Center and Carey Stadium.

"I'd like to get it done before Memorial Day," Gillian said. "It's long overdue."

He said the project will be covered as part of the existing budget for capital projects. He said he will be able to report more details to City Council at the next meeting.

Citing safety concerns based on deteriorating equipment, the city closed and removed a skateboard park at the same location in October 2011.

First Ward Councilman Mike DeVlieger praised the mayor's efforts, saying he had received six calls in two weeks from "good but passionate people" asking about the return of the park.