Ortonville- The village council voted 5-1 at their April 23 meeting to expand the hours the Village Skate Park is open.
The park will now be open from 8 a.m.- 9 p.m., instead of the previous 8 p.m. closing time. Mary Kassuba voted no. Council President Sue Bess was absent.
Additionally, the council approved a municipal park regulation ordinance that defines rules for the park and allows confiscation of any items, including skateboards and bikes, used during the violation of park rules.
‘I’m happy to get the kids to 9 o’clock, especially in June and July,? said Brandon Parks and Recreation Director Fred Waybrant. ?8 o’clock seemed too early. The second ballgame (at the neighboring ballfield) starts at 8:30 p.m., and to boot some of them out doesn’t seem right… I’m pleased with those hours and with the council adopting those rules, we can discipline the kids. Rules are rules and they need to obey them. We’re trying to keep the neighborhood and the kids both happy.?
The council agreed that Tuesdays and Thursdays will continue to be ‘Bike Nights? at the park. Bikers are allowed to join skaters in the skate park on these days only.