Oxford's Become A 'Target' For Skateboarders

By Jack Kramer, Correspondent

OXFORD, CT – The town, in the words of its first selectman, has become a “target” for skateboarders. The increasing number of young people, both from Oxford and from out of town, is enough of a concern that it sparked a lengthy discussion at the most recent Board of Selectmen meeting.

Resident Janet Barnes told the selectmen that skateboarding is a healthy activity for kids, stating “it gives them an outlet, and keeps them off the streets and from getting into trouble.”

First Selectman George Temple said he agreed, but stated that road are primarily for vehicles and the town is trying to identify roads which is considers not safe for skateboarders, such as Governor’s Hill Road.

One suggestion Barnes had was for the town to find a location to open up a skateboard park for the kids to use.

Resident Garret Barnes agreed with the suggestion that the town should look into a skateboarding park.

If there was a skate park, Barnes said, there could be ramps put in, competitions, and businesses could even be brought in to try and sell goods.

Temple said he appreciated the residents’ suggestions and said the town would be looking into all suggestions – to both make the streets safer for those who drive on it and to see if the town could do something to provide an alternative for the skateboarders.