May 20, 2009

Less trash at skatepark as users rally to clean up

Since park commissioners warned that the skatepark had to be kept clean or else, the hordes of young people who use it have responded to the challenge.
Josh Therriault, a 20-year-old college student, said he and about 20 other older users have taken the lead in making sure the $500,000 skatepark at Rockwell Park doesn’t become a trash heap.
He said they formed a committee that includes a “solid seven” who regularly police the skatepark and encourage younger skateboarders and bikers to pick up after themselves.
Park Director Ed Swicklas said they’re making a difference.
“It’s been a great help,” Swicklas said.
With as many as 500 people using the skatepark each day -- at least when the weather is nice -- there’s a significant amount of garbage that piles up there, including plastic water bottles and energy drink containers.
Park officials complained this month that too much of the debris was flung on the ground rather than placed in one of the trash cans on the site.
They warned that if things didn’t improve, they would have to take steps to force better behavior, perhaps by fencing the skatepark and charging a fee for its use.
That caught the attention of many skateboarders and parents who saw the story in The Bristol Press.
Therriault said he wanted to make sure the skatepark would be cleaned up so that alternatives wouldn’t need to be considered.
He said it is “an honor to have something like” the new skatepark in Bristol, which has won rave reviews from skateboarders throughout the region.
“It’s been so long” in the works, he said, that he’s determined to make sure it remains.
Lori DeFillippi, a park commissioner, said that users need to know “it’s a privilege that can be taken away” if the skatepark is abused.
“Don’t blow it,” warned Pat Nelligan, another commissioner.
But Susan Everett, a park panelist, told colleagues they were “dumping on” on Therriault with their warnings when he is leading the effort to do what they want.
Shawn Brunoli, a skateboarder, said he’s seen a big improvement.
One nice thing, he said, is that people who come to the park to walk are offering to help pick up, too, because they can see how much the younger crowd loves the skatepark.
Swicklas said the city has started putting in some landscaping around the skatepark that might help control the littering.
New trash cans that can’t be removed and used as obstacles by skateboarders are also helping, officials said.
Jason Krueger, the assistant park director, said the situation is getting better.
He said that the garbage now is mostly in or around the barrels, which sometimes overflow.
Swicklas said that more barrels will be added to ensure there are enough to handle the volume of trash at the skatepark.

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Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

We need more young people to step up like this in our Town. If we could find some that would run for Mayor and Council, maybe our government would actually change for the better...for once.

Anonymous said...

Nice job Mayor Ward!

responsible said...

Mayor Ward met with Theriault and others when the recent problem occured and stated publicly that he thought that occurance was rare and that the majority of users were responsible.
kudos to those who are policing the area.

Anonymous said...

way to go kids !!!!! keep up the good work !!!!

now what can you do about getting rt. 72 finished????

-billy from bristol

Anonymous said...

I am so glad to see these young people stepping up to the plate. I think it was handled very well by the Park Dept and that the Bristol Press had a big role to play in getting the info out there to these kids and their parents. This was a good opportunity to teach these youngsters some good lessons. Good job to all.

Except, I just have to say to 8:35 and 10:30: Come on, this is clearly not Art Ward's success. These comments are laughable.

Anonymous said...

Now if we could only get the adults to pick up after themselves. I cringe and the garbage in the streets after a parade.

Anonymous said...

Again, Ward jumps on the bandwagon.

When will ever get out in front?

Anonymous said...

Good point about the parade garbage. It's disgusting, and most of the people who come out to watch are adults.

Anonymous said...

Is Lori Defillipi ever going to say anything postiive? She is a waste of space on Parks.

Concerned Constructive Conservative said...

This whole story makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

The problem with this facility is that it is a center of controversy. Our city government should not be constructing controversy.

Anonymous said...

She doesn't have to: she is a huge supporter of Ward.

Also, all she cares about is the Boulevard.

Anonymous said...

Defilippi said the truth - unlike you who hides behind your little-self. Hmmm.. must be your jealousy rearing its ungly head.

Diane

Anonymous said...

4:45pm Enough of your negative comments - Mayor or should I say - cry baby?

Anonymous said...

Leave Lori Deflippi alone, she's a war hero and earned the right to speak out.

Anonymous said...

TO BAD THE POLICE DEPT DOESNT HAVE A LEADER IF WE DID WE WOULD HAVE FOOT PATROL ONCE IN A WHILE. SINCE WE HAVE A CHIEF WHOS NOT A LEADER WE DESERVE WHAT WE GET. BUT HE ATTENDS THE FUND RAISERS.

Anonymous said...

8:29pm - you have no idea what you are talking about so rather then show your stupidity, may I suggest you crawl back under your rock?

Anonymous said...

8:29 - what have you done to help this community? Defillipi has done a great deal in this community. So instead of putting people down for making a difference why not contribute? You sound like a real loser.

Anonymous said...

Thank You Josh and Friends in helping to Keep the Skate Park Clean...
I'm too old to Skateboard But,I am Very Impressed With All your Effort, Enthusiasim and Energy.
Can you Please spread these 3"E's" to people throughout other areas of Bristol to Help areas that are also rittled with Garbage~We need to make a Difference in this City,
Any Suggestions??????
Thank You.
Pat

Anonymous said...

Follow up story: I Hear there is less skates in the trashpark as well.

メル友募集 said...

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