Could a skateboard park be in the town's future?

PINE PLAINS — There was a plea put before the Town Board last week to consider constructing a skateboard park, by area teens, for area teens.

"We have many teens here who like to skateboard," said Zack Thompson, who brought a petition with him. "And we would like to avoid any problems arising from us skateboarding on the streets."

Town Supervisor Gregg Pulver listened to the request, along with the rest of the board, and recommended that Thompson visit the Recreation Commission with his request.

"The first thing I would suggest is to go to the Recreation Commission," he said. "I don’t think it’s ever been brought up before. They’ve got to fit it into their overall recreation master plan."

Parent Christine MacNeil was on hand to support Thompson and his request.

"I’m here to support and advise," she said. "We think it’s a great idea."

Thompson said that currently those who skateboard get in trouble for skating in the streets or at the high school’s tennis courts.

"There are a lot of issues, although I’m not saying they’re insurmountable," Pulver said. "The Recreation Commission is your best advocate for this."

Pulver said that the Recreation Commission, once involved, would do all of the "legwork" and then present it to the Town Board.

MacNeil said she hoped that the request would be taken seriously, as it was intended.

"They did get a lot of kids to sign the petition, and the number of kids is increasing," she said. "I don’t see them going away."

Thompson gave the skateboard park in Copake as an example of what he would like the Pine Plains park to look like.

Resident Carol Ruggerio spoke from the audience in favor of the presentation.

"I want to compliment the young people. The fact that they took this project on, and their willingness to follow the rules — they don’t want to be where they don’t belong," she said. "And I compliment you on letting them speak."

"It’s a great idea," Pulver responded.