Village Skate Park reopens with limited hours, new rules

Ortonville- The Village Skate Park reopened Wednesday, albeit with limited hours.
The village council voted unanimously at their Aug. 27 meeting to reopen the park from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday for the rest of the season, to end Oct. 30. The park will have adult volunteers present during open hours.
The village council ordered the park closed on July 27 after numerous problems at the park, including indecent exposure, foul language, smoking, drug use and other complaints from neighbors of the park located at Ball and Cedar streets.
A Skate Park Committee comprised of park neighbors, skateboarders, village officials and concerned citizens has had several meetings to discuss solutions for the park. The committee has recommended to council that a 10-foot concrete wall, a 10-12 foot chainlink fence, and motion detectors be installed at the park, as well as foam to lessen noise from the equipment. Approximate costs of the new measures is estimated to be about $16,450, although the committee is still researching companies to do the work.
A wooden L-shaped fence in the corner of the park was removed this week in an effort to deter delinquent behavior.
The council will discuss permanent solutions for the Skate Park at their next council meeting, scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Sept. 10, at the Old Town Hall.