An empty tennis court resides in Washington Lake Park as an unfriendly reminder to skateboarders of what once was. “Unfriendly” because in mid-2014 an outdoor concrete skate park, erected for use by skaters, was torn down and said tennis court was laid in its wake. Official Washington Township notices cite destruction of property, trash not being put in receptacles, and intermittent drug use as the reason for closing that area of the park. Bob Smith, Business Administrator for the township, was quoted on saying, “The township closed the skate park in Washington Lake Park… due to vandalism, littering and periodic drug use”. Two years have passed and the displaced skaters, as well as regular Washington Township citizens, still hold grievances towards what they firmly believe to be an unjust decision.

On record, the park was closed because of vandalism, littering and drug use. Park Ranger Zac Gorman said “There are people who are upset with the closing, but there has been plenty of disrespect toward the area, and a lot of vandalism, so it was time to put an end to it.” Despite the official notice, rumors circulated (and still circulate) on whether other factors contributed to the park closing. One of the reasons some people think the skate park was closed is due to a lack of funds. “The township simply does not have enough resources to police that area of the park.” said Smith. Washington Township Police Chief Rafael Muniz went on record with NJ.com, after the park’s closing, to agree with Smith. Efforts to contact Muniz for a current perspective went unanswered.

The skater perspective stands strongly on the grounds that closing the park wasn’t a fair decision. But what about just regular Washington Township citizens? The decision sparked online outcry on NJ.com from residents of Washington Township. Quotes from this posting include, “I have never had children skate there but I can sympathize with those who love that sport/activity. Closing it is not the answer,” said Diana DiTeodoro Vitola. “My kids loved the skate park and I never worried about their safety if I dropped them off. Now there is nowhere but the streets for them to skate,” said Christie Cramer Laskoski. For those without access to a car the only spot for them to skate really is the street, another problem caused by the removal of the skate park.

Without any place for skaters to legally skate in the township, some have gotten in trouble for illegally skating in certain areas. “I can’t count how many people I skate with that have been stopped by cops for skating where they’re not supposed to. There really isn’t anywhere close by,” said Nick DeAngelis ‘17. Inquiries into records regarding skate related crimes went answered, but with no real follow through.

Inquiries into the matter fall on deaf ears, “For my Eagle Scout project I talked with Mayor Barbara Wallace about opening the skate park again,” said Will Tucker ’17, “When I brought it up she treated me completely different and tried really hard to change the subject. I feel like they [the township administration] really have no interest in opening another [skate park].” Questions regarding the park have been unanswered by the mayor’s office. When asked if he would support a movement to re-open a skate park in Washington Township, Bob Smith said only this – “The township will not be building a new skate park – primarily because our insurance company will not cover liability.”