Folsom to leave skate park unsupervised

Folsom officials decided last week to leave the city skate park unsupervised, beginning July 1. The Folsom City Council voted June 24 to eliminate the paid attendant position at Cummings Family Skate & Bike Park to save $41,000 and address concerns about the park being too restrictive. The Folsom Parks & Recreation Dept. previously supervised the Creekside Drive skate park seven days a week, 363 days a year. The skate park was open 55 hours per week during the summer and 20 hours during the school year. The matter emerged with a February petition to modify safety equipment requirements, asking the city to rephrase language to encourage safety gear but not mandate it, officials said. However, whether supervised or not, patrons are required to comply with the state safety gear rule, authorities said. The skate park opened in 2003 and has since hosted 184,000 visitors. Cummings Park is also home to Fido Field dog park, a party pavilion, basketball court and a large grass area with a modest playground. The 21,000 square-foot skate park features street-style and transitional skateboarding, along with BMX biking areas. Before opening, staff took a survey of more than 30 skate parks throughout the state to decide if the park should be supervised or not, fee or no fee, and hours. According to the state health and safety code, helmets, elbow pads and knee pads are always required. An operator of a skate park cannot permit a person to ride a skateboard or other wheels in the park unless wearing the safety gear. Based on the study and advice of risk management, staff recommended then that the park go without supervision. But the City Council at the time decided to monitor to ensure a family friendly atmosphere with an extra measure of safety. The average monthly attendance totaled 589 visitors over the past four years, staff said. Workers trained in first aid were on hand to provide the initial response to all issues. Staff has since handled hundreds of problems in 20 years, ranging from angry parents, upset skaters, suspected drug dealing, concealed weapons, fights and first aid. While some feel the rules are too strict, Folsom officials noted the part-time staff costs helped prevent more resources and money spent on damage, vandalism, graffiti and other park issues. The city noted that of 19 petition signatures, only three gave a Folsom address and the total represents only 4 percent of the monthly average of visitors in four years. Whether supervised or not, users are required to comply with the state safety gear rule, authorities said. New safety signs will be posted with no attendant. The skate park will be open from dusk to 9 p.m., with planned Musco Lighting to allow staff to schedule the lights to turn on and off. Visitors can report problems through SeeClickFix or call 911 for emergencies. Park maintenance staff will continue with regular duties to maintain the park. "Will we have some hiccups? Probably," said City Manager Bryan Whitemyer. "We're not good every day. But I think this is a prudent approach." The city spent roughly $41,300 each year for the park attendant position. Savings will be used to install lights for $14,550, according to the report.