Ocean City Council Approves Parking Ordinance, 'Accepts' Skatepark

Ocean City Council passed an ordinance on final reading that deals with a number of changes in the city’s ordinance concerning parking meters and time limit parking on Thursday night.

It includes the addition of 51 parking spaces in the area of the proposed skateboard park.

The ordinance was passed the same night former City Business Administrator Mike Dattilo announced that the contractor was on site to finish the fencing around the skatepark. Signage will be in place this week, and three inspections are pending.

For insurance purposes, City Council added a resolution to the consent agenda stating that the city approves and accepts the skatepark.

“It sounds redundant, but that’s what the JIF is asking,” Dattilo told council members.

The resolution was approved with a 5-0 vote. Councilman Peter Guinosso abstained.

Although it has been built, there is no official opening date for the skatepark, Councilman Michael DeVlieger said. Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian advised that skaters should wait for an opening date to be set before using the skatepark, for insurance reasons.

The park is located on a city-owned parking lot next to the fire department.

It replaces the original skateboard park at Sixth Street and Boardwalk that was shut down in 2011 by the city, which cited safety concerns due to deteriorating equipment and the use of bicycles in the park as contributing factors.

It wasn’t long before skateboard enthusiasts in Ocean City began a movement to have the park returned to the city.

City officials approved plans for a new skateboard facility last summer, and awarded the contract to Spohn Ranch in April.

The complete list of parking changes in the ordinance passed Thursday night can be found in last week’s agenda packet.