Now, kids have place to dwell on wheels

By SARAH WEBER
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
STRUTHERS -- Although Mayor Dan Mamula has yet to strap on a helmet and take up skating, the city did earn serious "street cred" by installing some sweet rails and killer ramps.
Construction of a new skate park on the corner of Elm and Stewart Streets began early Saturday and wrapped up around 3 p.m. About 130 adults and more than 200 kids pitched in to help construct skating ramps and grinding rails in the new park, as well as to landscape the perimeter.
"We needed a place for the kids to burn off their energy and do their thing," Dan Becker of Struthers said.
Becker donated $35,000 to the $100,000 project and has been helping to plan the park for three years. His daughter and son-in-law also got involved with KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit organization that works to build community playgrounds and skate parks. The Struthers Fraternal Order of Police was also instrumental in making the park a reality.
Out of trouble
Although many towns and cities shy away from creating places for kids and teens to congregate, Mamula said that with the proper supervision, the park would actually help keep kids out of trouble.
"One, it's wide open, and two, it's right next to city hall and the police station," Mamula said.
In addition, a monitoring system will be installed to help police keep tabs on the park.
"I think basically these are good kids," Becker said. "Looking at stake parks across the country, it's not the skaters that are the problem, it's the other people that come in."
Mamula said that in the event that people start abusing park privileges, he will have the gates locked for a few days until things settle down.
"We really appreciate the people on Stewart and Elm Streets for their cooperation with this project," Mamula said. "We want to make sure that we keep things civil."
Liability law
As far as the liability to the city, Becker explained Ohio law states that the rules and recommendations that are posted on a board in the park prevent the city from being responsible if an accident occurs. Becker said that though he anticipates some scrapes and broken bones every so often, as long as people follow the rules, they should be OK.
Joe Scafuri, a junior at Boardman High School, came to Struthers with several friends to help build the park. He said they normally don't go to skate parks because most cost money, but he will frequent the Struthers park because it is free.
"It means a lot to me because it keeps the kids off the streets," he said. "People are always calling the cops on us. I've had the cops called on me five or six times."
Scafuri said he was certain that because the skaters had a hand in building the park, they would respect it more.
Worried about some
Colin Brockway, an eighth-grader from Struthers, said he is happy with the park but isn't sure everyone would treat it like they should.
"Some people might respect the place, but some people won't," he said. "Some people came down here after it was already built at 3."
Because of limited funds, one popular ramp the skate park does not include is a half-pipe, but many of the skaters hope that one will be installed in the future. Additions to the park are planned as funds become available.
"BMX riding, in-line skating and skateboard riding have become a major activity, and a sport," Mamula said.