Skateboarders Damage Westwood Park Benches Again

Seven memorial benches, dedicated by local families to deceased loved ones, were damaged this week, according to Westwood Councilman Peter Grefrath.

It was the second time skateboarders damaged benches in Veterans' Memorial Park this year.

"I am totally aware that none of it was done on purpose," Grefrath said.

There is no law against skateboarding in the park, though damaging public property counts as a "violation of the peace" under borough ordinance.

On some of the benches, the damage was minor paint scuffing left by the boards, according to Mayor John Birkner. Others were "damaged down to the metal," he said.

Repairing the benches the first time took about five hours, according to Grefrath. Some of them may need to be sent back to the manufacturer this time, he said.

Grefrath reiterated his idea to have a bolt or other object could be installed in the middle of the benches to prevent skateboarders from doing tricks on them.

"When all is said and done, it's vandalism," Grefrath said, though he also noted he was "not against skateboarding.

Grefrath suggested officials could look into adding a skatepark area to one of Westwood's other parks.

Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Jim Leggate at Jim.Leggate@patch.com, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.