Leave the Teenagers (and the Park) Alone!

With Ponderosa Park opening to the public, much talk was concentrated on "keeping the teenagers away" and "hoping the teenagers don't ruin another park." Whatever that means, it is directed towards the wrong people.

Since opening, Ponderosa has been a place for everyone. During the day, kids of all ages have gathered. Some, mostly the younger ones, have played on the playground, while others have utilized the beautiful soccer fields made available. At night, among departure of younger children, Ponderosa has been a nice place for older teenagers to hang out. Thanks to the lights and isolation, the park has become a hang-out spot for activities including frisbee, soccer and simply enjoying the nice night weather.

Little has gone wrong so far in terms of the county park laid out for children. County cops have passed through, as it is a COUNTY park, and have acknowledged the activities occuring- both at day and at night. They have allowed the older kids to stay, asking only that they keep the noise down for the neighbors of the park. They have allowed the teenagers to stay until 11, a time where many must return home due to driving curfews anyway. And they have respected the kids back with the same respect the kids have given the park.

Recently, with less county police appearing to patrol the park, things have changed. Scotch Plains Police have come in, attempting to change the way things have been run. Driving around the grass, which has been upheld and maintained in the same pristine condition it began, and around the playground, the cops have gone about attempting to rid the park of any teenagers who have chosen it as a place to hang out. Continuing on, the cops have driven onto the playground area itself, making sure kids are out of the park at "dark," despite previous policemen telling the people that as long as they were quiet, the park would operate under an 11 o clock closing time.

Teenagers have respected the park, which they have a right to use. They have done no wrong, and have simply used it as a place to play under the lights at night. They have respected ALL police who have been there and have shut up and left when they were told.

However they will be the ones to be blamed when this park begins to deform. When tire tracks are found through the grass, and the grass is ruined after being driven through in the rain, it will be a teenager's fault. When things are knocked over in the playground, it will be at the hands of the wreckless teenagers in town.

There is no problem with asking the teenagers to leave the park, or to be quiet in their time there. However, contrasting rules from different policemen will not give them a great image. When one cop says the park closes at 11, and another comes in angry that people are still there at "dark," it is not fair to the people of the park. Also, it should be acknowledged that the tire tracks in the field are not that of wreckless, drugged up teenagers, but that of the cops who have gone to all lengths to ruin any night time activities at the park.