Skate park repairs deemed urgent
Needed fixes are being pushed forward in anticipation of the upcoming Dew Tour
OCEAN CITY -- Repairs are needed at the Ocean Bowl Skate Park, and now they're being pushed to the forefront in light of the Dew Tour's July visit to Ocean City.
The skate park's pool and vertical ramp need refurbishment, and Ocean City Recreation and Parks
Director Thomas Shuster will open a discussion with the Town Council at its next meeting to seek funding for the $36,400 operation.
In a memorandum to the council, Town Manger Dennis Dare wrote that repairs are not only needed to keep the park operational, but have now become "ultra critical" because of the Dew Tour.
Dare asked the council to consider the funds an "emergency purchase" that would allow immediate procession to the refurbishing process, a necessity if the park is to be ready in time for summer. The park renovation was originally delayed in anticipation of a planned park expansion that has been put on hold.
The council could approve the purchase at the meeting, allowing Dare and Shuster to contact Omer Windham, one of the park's original builders. Windham has agreed to do the repairs and is available to begin work immediately, according to Dare.
The park was originally built in 1976 and is one of the oldest skate parks in the world, according to Assistant Recreation and Parks Director Susan Petito.
Representatives for the Dew Tour have expressed interest in including the park in the week prior to and during its July 21-24 festivities, Petito said, but that interest is still "in idea form."
The council will also discuss some changes to lessen the effects of a proposed ordinance to alter street performer regulations.
In an ordinance drafted after consultation with the town attorney, street performers would be permitted to perform in 17 designated Boardwalk locations from 8 a.m.-midnight, with the locations being subject to a weekly lottery for the prime hours of 6 p.m.-midnight.
Performers who do not win the weekly lottery could perform until midnight at street ends to the north of North Division Street, or elsewhere in town -- although most performers like to serenade the crowded south end of the Boardwalk. They could also perform at the designated locations during the day, until 6 p.m., when the winning performer of that space in the lottery can arrive to claim the spot.
Under the terms of an earlier proposal, performers would have only been able to perform on the
Boardwalk if they won a daily lottery, and only from the time following the afternoon lottery until midnight.
smuska@dmg.gannett.com
410-213-9442, ext. 14
The skate park's pool and vertical ramp need refurbishment, and Ocean City Recreation and Parks
Director Thomas Shuster will open a discussion with the Town Council at its next meeting to seek funding for the $36,400 operation.
In a memorandum to the council, Town Manger Dennis Dare wrote that repairs are not only needed to keep the park operational, but have now become "ultra critical" because of the Dew Tour.
Dare asked the council to consider the funds an "emergency purchase" that would allow immediate procession to the refurbishing process, a necessity if the park is to be ready in time for summer. The park renovation was originally delayed in anticipation of a planned park expansion that has been put on hold.
The council could approve the purchase at the meeting, allowing Dare and Shuster to contact Omer Windham, one of the park's original builders. Windham has agreed to do the repairs and is available to begin work immediately, according to Dare.
The park was originally built in 1976 and is one of the oldest skate parks in the world, according to Assistant Recreation and Parks Director Susan Petito.
Representatives for the Dew Tour have expressed interest in including the park in the week prior to and during its July 21-24 festivities, Petito said, but that interest is still "in idea form."
The council will also discuss some changes to lessen the effects of a proposed ordinance to alter street performer regulations.
In an ordinance drafted after consultation with the town attorney, street performers would be permitted to perform in 17 designated Boardwalk locations from 8 a.m.-midnight, with the locations being subject to a weekly lottery for the prime hours of 6 p.m.-midnight.
Performers who do not win the weekly lottery could perform until midnight at street ends to the north of North Division Street, or elsewhere in town -- although most performers like to serenade the crowded south end of the Boardwalk. They could also perform at the designated locations during the day, until 6 p.m., when the winning performer of that space in the lottery can arrive to claim the spot.
Under the terms of an earlier proposal, performers would have only been able to perform on the
Boardwalk if they won a daily lottery, and only from the time following the afternoon lottery until midnight.
smuska@dmg.gannett.com
410-213-9442, ext. 14
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