Video: Portsmouth Town Council Bans Ramps, Allows Skateboarding to Keep Rolling
The Portsmouth Town Council voted to allow skateboarding to continue at the Island Park Playground, but helmets must be worn.
Photos
Videos
Skateboarding can now take place at the Island Park Playground, but no more jumps, rails or other equipment, says the Portsmouth Town Council.
"And, helmets must be worn at all times," Councilor Keith Hamilton said.
The council heard from skaters, teens, mothers and the police chief Monday night at Town Hall. To hear these comments, view the video at right.
In the past few weeks, kids skateboarding at the Island Park Playground have been apparently stopped by police and told they could not skateboard at the playground anymore or on the street. Parents have questioned why and when this ban on skateboarding took effect.
The chief also wanted clarification on this "no skateboarding" sign. "What we're asking for is just proper signage for that and guidance if the council does wish to allow skateboarding on the basketball court," Police Chief Lance Hebert said.
After hearing from both the police chief and members of the public, Councilor Liz Pedro proposed banning skateboarding on all town property. This resulted in an outcry from the audience.
Councilor James Seveney rejected this idea, stating he would not vote for the ban.
Hamilton later motioned the "no skateboarding" sign be removed and a new sign be erected. The new sign will state "no ramps, rails or other apperatus" and that "helmets be worn at all times."
State law 31-19-2.1 requires helmets be worn at all times for skateboarders, ages 15 and younger.
The council voted 7-0 to approve the motion.
time 2 go
11:46 am on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Ah Oh...Liz..this could be the begining of the end....
kyle
11:57 am on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Did a woman in the video complain of the sound the skate board makes?
time 2 go
1:40 pm on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Yes, She was whinning about the noise that the skateboards make!!! "Lady Complainer" get a life!! There is one complainer in every neighborhood.
Beverly Kelly
2:38 pm on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
That "Lady Complainer" is former Town Councilwoman Karen Gleason. She does not live in Island Park, but has relatives that do. I agree that skateboards make noise, so do basketballs, swings and children in general. It is a Playground! Let the children play! Do Not let this town council turn Portsmouth into Sombertown, the infamous town with no toys in "Santa Claus is Coming to Town".
STUKA
3:21 pm on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Yes her sister I believe is Laura Rogers who is on a crusade for the " toxic " soil being placed down there to cap the land fill. The plot thickens.
laura rogers
10:13 pm on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
what do i have to do with this? did you not hear me i am conserned about your health. skate away and smell the air. I would hope you would join in keeping ARSENIC out of the air first. anyone who has bad lungs have a higher chance of cancer from ARSENIC. ITS NOT JUST ARSENIC I AM CONSERNED WITH. They are dumping more than ARSENIC join the ban wagon if you really want to live here
A really concerned citizen
6:48 pm on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Ms. Gleason is against just about everything, see if you vote no you can always say, see I told you so. When she was on the juvenile board she made every parent that came in front of her feel inadequate, she is just so full of herself, she gives me nausea.
A really concerned citizen
6:57 pm on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
That sound of a basketball bouncing must really drive people nuts, maybe they should disallow basketball playing, I think the sound of some people continually saying no no no no no no is more likely do drive people crazy, it does me.
mark Katzman
8:18 pm on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
I have been to a great many town council meetings. I have attempted to speak to Karen Gleason, but she immediately too umbrage that I dared address her directly.Too many times I have seen what can only most charitably be called her propensity to waste valuable town council time. I believe people can better judge her (and others, for that matter) by seeing them in person - or in the videos provided here (Thanks, Patch!)
RCNICK
10:20 pm on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
you must be a lawyer?
IP MOM
8:48 pm on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
If Ms. Gleason wants to waste the town counsels time as I have witnessed for myself can she please try and get her facts straight. She sounded rather foolish!
Claire Arrico
1:09 pm on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
I am very happy that they will allow skate boarders to be able to skate at the park. I think they should still allow a few ramps. The children need a place to hang out. This has been a problem since my son was young. There was never a place for the kids to go and skate. They were always getting in trouble for skateboarding in the wrong place, which so happened to be just about every where. They are not doing anything wrong they are just enjoying themselfs and staying out of trouble.
Patriot
9:31 pm on Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Joey - Agree with you 99%. Really. I was a kid myself once - right here in Portsmouth. I understand and share your anger. Just one suggestion from an old-timer: leave out the "F" word because use of it can turn off a lot of people who would otherwise support what you are saying. So leave it out - not because people might be offended by you - but because its in you own best interest, long term!
Stanley Farak
10:43 am on Thursday, March 31, 2011
It's a shame that kids are allowed to play in a playground!!!
Michael Rinkel
5:48 pm on Thursday, March 31, 2011
No sooner had Chief Hebert stopped speaking Liz Pedro made a motion to support an ordinance to forbid skateboarding on all Town Property. This before ANY discussion by other members of the Council or ANY commentary from the Town Residents in attendance as is observed under rules of order for every agenda item before the Council. Gee, doesn't Liz live in Island Park near the playground? Rather than act as a representive of her constituents with the goal of the greater good, it is my opinion that Liz exercised poor judgement and used her position in a selfish manner not becoming of a council member.
Claire Arrico
6:29 pm on Thursday, March 31, 2011
Maybe all these people who are complaing about kids using a PLAYGROUND TO PLAY IN. Should move to an adult community. All the kids want to do is play. Skateboard, basketball, baseball, all of these things do make noice and if you listen closely you might just hear the sounds of our children, grandchildren having some fun. If not a playground where would you like to see them? In our streets? I have been to different cities and many of them have a complex where the kids can skate board, play all kinds os sports, ice skate in the winter, and swim in the summer. Why in this community can't we have someting like this for our kids?
RCNICK
9:33 pm on Thursday, March 31, 2011
lets put in a pool too. my kid loves to swim?
DSilva
6:16 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
This was a fair compromise to the situation. Thanks to the Council members who listened to those who spoke at this meeting. Not just look at us, but really listened. So many of our meetings have turned into Council members using the agenda for their purposes and not to get feedback from our residents. Based on this, maybe their is still hope.
Claire Arrico
8:05 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
Yes maybe there is still hope. I remember one time many years ago the Seveney sport complex if voted in to get the land was going to be for everything the kids could enjoy. I know its a great spot for all they do have there. But wouldn't it be nice to have more? Maybe a skating area also, a place to rollerblade hockey, iceskate in the winter. Like the Middletown playground has.
a concerned parent
11:13 am on Saturday, April 2, 2011
I'm not sure if I misunderstood, but I thought Liz Pedro put in a motion to support chief heberts statement which pertained to the use of ramps and other stuff brought in?