It has come to the attention of many that once again the Chatham Skate Park is in peril - this time permanently - and the news is very distressing.It appears that Sterling Properties is embarking on a significant high end development of housing units at Averett Farm (“Dixiedale Christmas Tree Farm”). Additionally, public records indicate they have agreed to build Chatham Township's mandated affordable housing. The Township, in looking for public property for this low-income housing, is focusing on the property that includes the Skate Park, subdividing the current lot that includes the police station, creating a 3-acre lot adjacent to the police station while not demolishing this building.Sign Up for E-NewsIn 1999 Mary Carnes and I began a five-year journey to raise awareness of a recreational void and need in the community. It was recognized that a segment of our young population was not only being under-served, but was, in fact being completely left out when it came to certain athletic pursuits. We found that not all children enjoy participating in team sports, but even those who do, still appreciate the freedom to engage in an activity that is not tied to a play schedule or dependent on a team or specific rules. And the Chatham Skate Park was born.Along the way many parents, community organizations including several churches, the Kiwanis Club, the Rotary Club, the Jaycees, the Knights of Columbus, as well as the former police chief and many former members of the Township Committee agreed that it was important to provide for children of middle and high school age a safe place where they could participate in a recreational activity that encouraged creativity and cooperation.At that time many Chatham children were skating in and around traffic, at local schools, on church steps and at post office plaza - a very unsafe situation. We worked with the Committee, who provided the land and some funding, and the community, who helped to raise about $140,000 towards the construction, so that we could have a place where youngsters could engage safely in this very popular physical activity. And by all accounts this has been, for the last 13 years, an extremely popular place for young people to gather.And yet… some forces within the Township government have continued to treat this park as if it was a scourge in the community. It was almost closed three years ago because of maintenance issues and volunteer efforts were required, as well as donations obtained by volunteers to keep the park open.Now there is the chance that it will again be closed but this time permanently due to a real estate transaction. Would our community ever consider removing one of the many playgrounds (some seldom used) or eliminating one of the many playing fields for soccer, football or lacrosse? Chathamites have never been expected to raise money (over and above tax dollars) to pay for the refurbishing of a playing field or replacement of a playground (as when the insurance company determined that the old Castle Park was out of compliance with insurance regulations and had to be removed). Why then is this recreational facility always treated like the unwanted step-child? Sixteen years ago when we were searching for an appropriate location for the park many locations were evaluated and discarded by then Township Committeewoman Susan Hoag and our committee. Ultimately the current location was decided upon for the following reasons:1) Beneath the soil of the Skate Park is a former dump that was never remediated. We were told that nothing else could ever be build upon it.2) The Skate Park borders wet lands that restrict building.3) There is a police shooting range behind the Park - something that would create a lot of disturbance to people.4) The presence of the Police Station next door served as a deterrent for possible problems and a place of safety and security for some. 5) The location on a main thoroughfare made for excellent visibility of a very special place as well as easy access for both parents and children.While this was the only location that worked for the Skate Park, it was also the best location for this unique recreational gem.Certainly I have a great deal of sympathy for the Township Committee for the burden that has been placed on it to respond appropriately to the New Jersey Affordable Housing Mandate. In a community with very limited available land, this is a difficult situation. The Committee must perform a tough balancing act in order to meet many demands from the community and from developers. However, I have to believe that there are current Committee members who, like those from the Committee 15 years ago, are open-minded and progressive thinking in recognizing the responsibility they have to serve the recreational needs of ALL children and thus understand the great value of the Chatham Skate Park.It just comes down to common sense and respect for those who created this park, those who believed in it both then and now, and in its unique value to those who continue to enjoy it. We put our trust and faith in the Township Committee’s good judgment that they will be transparent with the community as they work to find a positive solution to this problem - one that will keep this treasure here at this location in Chatham while successfully finding another more suitable location for affordable housing obligations.
