Struthers reopens skate park but limits hours, adds signs about new restrictions

Signs protesting the park are now gone from neighbors’ yards.

STRUTHERS — The city has reopened a skate park that was closed after neighbors on Stewart Street complained about it, but the mayor has taken steps to have it moved.

The park, on city property across the street from a residential area, was closed last month because of complaints about loud profanity there.

There have also been complaints about fights at the park and about litter drifting and blowing from the park into nearby yards.

The park reopened Monday with signs that prohibit bullying, fighting, profanity, smoking and littering.

Hours are limited from 4 to 6 p.m. on school nights and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. The park is closed Sundays.

The park was the subject of a public meeting last week.

Neighbors had erected signs in their yards that protested the park. Those signs were gone this week.

Mayor Terry Stocker, in a letter written Monday, has asked the Mill Creek MetroParks commissioners to consider the possibility of moving the skate park to Yellow Creek Park.

“The city of Struthers has leased Yellow Creek to MetroParks for 100 years to provide more services to not only Struthers residents but surrounding communities,” Stocker said.

He said children from Poland, Canfield, Youngstown, Campbell and Boardman would also be able to use the skate park.

Stocker said previously that many of the kids who use the park now are from out of town.

The city does not allow people to skateboard in the streets or on the sidewalks.