Greenville resident Dylan Wiggins, 16, skates in the downtown Durham skate park’s “pool.” It was Wiggins’ first time skating at the park, and he said he liked it there a lot.
kupchurch@heraldsun.com; 419-6612
DURHAM -- Police will soon start issuing citations against skateboarders who aren't wearing helmets and safety pads, according to Cynthia Booth, public affairs specialist with the Durham Parks and Recreation Department.
"We're educating the skaters to the rules, which are posted,'' she said. "They are supposed to wear helmets and pads. For 30 days, we will educate skaters in the park and let them know it is a safety requirement. After that, the Police Department will issue citations if someone is caught without their safety gear."
A sign at the park states that helmets and ankle and knee pads are required.
The citations will cost offenders $10 and $130 in court costs, she said. But she emphasized that safety is the main goal. "While citations may be issued after 30 days -- education will be the focus," she said.
She said the city wants skaters to enjoy the park and will offer "different events to incorporate safety'' in the coming months and years.
Booth said the parks department has no hard figures on attendance at the park so far. But she said ''it's been reported that 50 to 75 people have been skating at the park at a time.''
For information about the park and safety, visit the department's Web site at www.DPRPlayMore.org
Steven Tubiolo, 23, of Hillsborough, was skating at the park last week and said he had mixed feelings about the safety equipment requirement.
''I can see where the city's coming from, why they would want to have helmets here,'' he said. "It's definitely worth wearing. In fact, we just had some kid break his arm here.''
But he said many skaters prefer not to wear pads and helmets. ''It's just how the person wants to skate.''
Tubiolo wasn't wearing a helmet or pads, but added: "If I'm going to do anything crazy on my skateboard, I'll throw on my helmet, if I'm going to go down some stairs.''
He said he understands requiring those under 18 to wear safety equipment, but not adults.
''If you're 18 and up, it should be your choice whether you want to wear pads or not,'' he said. "But like the little kids that were out here, there is a good reason why you should wear pads, because some little kids are just stepping on a skateboard, and they're going to fall."
