Bored of recreation

Young people say the Youngstown area lacks things for them to do.
By VALLERIE BANNER
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
"NOTHING -- in big capital letters," said Kevin Scott, 23, of Youngstown.
"I can answer that pretty easily. Nothing." Rob Cox, 15, Canfield.
"That's easy. Nothing." George Parson, 16, Warren.
"There's nothing to do here. You always have to travel somewhere." Alec Roman, 16, Canfield.
"There ain't s--- to do." Larissa Holmes, 21, Niles.
"Not a whole lot." Shaun Winkler, 18, Salem.
"It's boring." Amanda Blackwell, 18, East Palestine.
"There really isn't much to do around here. They end up as drug addicts because there's nothing to do around here," said B.J. Gruitza, 20, Hermitage, Pa.
Actually, most of those asked can list about a half-dozen things to do, besides turn into drug addicts:
U Go to the movies.
U Go bowling.
U Go to a club.
U Ride bikes.
U Play basketball.
U Play pool.
In a rut
The real problem, they say, is that there isn't much variety.
"It seems like we're in a routine. Every Thursday, you either go to The Mill or you don't," explained Scott.
Ryan Herman, 15, of Canfield said he and his friends have the same type of problem.
"It gets old after a while -- going to the same places, trying the same things," he said.
Erika Schmidt, 17, of Columbiana said she and her friends do pretty much the same thing every weekend. "We either come to the mall or go to people's houses and watch movies," she said.
When something different comes to the area for a weekend, Ryan Stepan, 19, of North Lima said, he seizes the opportunity to get out of a rut.
"When something like this comes around, you've got to jump at it," Stepan said, while checking out cars at the Hot Rod Super Nationals with his friends.
Holmes said she's always looking for something new, too. She said she goes to the Canfield and Trumbull County fairs every summer.
"We almost always go to the small festivals, the big ones and the free ones," she said. "Since there isn't much to do, when there is something people flock to it."
Somewhere to go
But actually, what most young people say they really want isn't something to do, but somewhere to go to do nothing.
"There's no place to just chill around here," said Richard Lampley, 21, of Youngstown.
Eric Buente, 15, of Canfield said: "We just need a place to hang out. ... They need to just make a big warehouse with a bunch of La-Z-Boys."
Trevor Calhoun, 21, of Berlin Center said he'd like to see "more coffeehouses, because there have been many a night where I wanted to go sit and BS and there was nowhere to go."
Several people said they wish there was a beach closer to Youngstown where they could go to hang out during the day.
Since it seems unlikely that an ocean and miles of sand will be imported nearby, Blackwell had a similar but more practical idea. "A water park would be cool," she said.
More sports
Herman suggested building more basketball courts. "I'm a big sports fan," he said. "I think they should have tournaments. Put a team together and compete."
Holmes said she wishes there were more clubs or clubs that offered a different kind of atmosphere.
"Not just a meat festival where girls go wearing nothing, like Ernie McDoogell's. That place sucked." The Youngstown bar has been shut down for alcohol violations.
"There's a lot of stuff for kids and old people, but nothing for [those] in between. ... That's why there's a lot of people in illegal stuff. They're bored," she said.
Potential trouble
In fact, several of those interviewed mentioned that they spend their free time drinking, despite being under age.
They declined to have their names used, but said they drink at parties, at friends' homes and at some bars they know will serve them.
Some said they drink nearly every time they hang out with friends, and others said it happens less frequently.
Many of those who drink said they do it because there's nothing else to do.
But not everyone is discontent with what's available to them around here.
Gruitza, who still said there isn't much to do in the area, spends most of his time at the Section 8 Skatepark in Hubbard. He's happy doing that, though.
"All we wanted since we were this big," he said holding his hand up about waist high, "was a skatepark, and now we've got one, so we're happy."
Make your own fun
Friends Allison Leonard and Chrissy Betch said they've found a way to make their own fun.
"We meet people," said Allison, 15, of Hermitage. "Just go up and talk to them."
Chrissy, also 15, of Mercer, said they've met "people from all walks of life."
She said they'll go up to "anyone who looks interesting," but especially "guys with nice biceps."
Chrissy said, "There's not a lot to do, so whatever there is, you have to make it fun."
And she had another suggestion: "Another fun thing to do around here is hunt for mullets."
A mullet is an outdated hairstyle that's short on top, long in the back.
"This is prime mullet-hunting land," Allison added.
Allison also had a few words of advice for anyone who wants to try to meet people: "Stay away from people in bandannas."
She said they're not usually as friendly.