•  It is not their policy to build park elements that the municipalities themselves should fund. Examples being pools, skateparks and pump tracks. They would not say how to change their policy. However, we did ask why there are skating rinks. The answer given was not straight forward but it seems they deviated from their policy to build them. 

• If towns or a group of towns would like land to build a skatepark, they will provide it but the town/towns would need to handle all aspects. This includes paying for it in it's entirety including the initial build out, management, insurance, parking, bathrooms, ADA accessibility, environmental, maintenance and eventual take down of the park. They also said they would do the same for a non-profit organization.

Our suggested plan of action:

•  show up to the county park meetings and make our voices heard. They broke their policy before. There should be no reason why they can't break it again.

• Continue to show strong support that this park is for the county not a group of towns, their policy should not apply.

A.  Be prepared for the committee members to attempt to use Tony Hawk's words as logic to not build the park. Specifically, Tony saying that there should be a park for every 50 thousand people. They will bend this to mean that they can't possibly build that many skateparks or one large enough. We are not asking for a giant skatepark or many smaller ones. Remind them that Tony is not a data scientist, is specifically referring to inner city and also says quite frequently that grass roots efforts should not be used to build a skatepark (government should).

B. Many of the committee members are from an older generation. They view skateboarding as disruptive and unpopular. They will tell stories of the many times people wanted unpopular park elements created. They will talk about when they were in other public offices (mayors, council, police). Redirect them back to this cause. Remind them the benefits to community, health, safety and youth development. (One member recalled a time when there was a new sport called tennis and everyone thought they should build a tennis court...)

C. They will tell you that no other county in New Jersey has a county skatepark. This is false! Both Monmouth County and Cape May County have county skateparks. Be prepared when they reply that there are those parks because they want to keep people at the Jersey Shore for the whole day. Why wouldn't we want to do the same in Morris County?

D. Insurance is not a valid excuse.  Again, they have hockey  rinks where people actively skate and hit one another (checking) . Remind them there is clear data showing that skaters are injured less than tennis, basketball etc. Skaters are more aware of the dangers of the sport and are prepared. Most insurances view a skatepark as the same liability as a playground. 

E. Be courteous! Don't argue! Thank them for their time.

• The ramps were removed and the gates were closed because of an insurance liability issue. The asphalt needed to be resurfaced, the fence needed to be taller, the ramps were in disrepair. They will not say what the increase of insurance would have been but at this point it doesn’t really matter since all park components are gone.

• A 2016 Township wide survey had 1% say they wanted the skatepark. Therefore there is no town interest in having a skatepark. 

  • This question was actually “Expand the Brundage Park Skate Park” and it’s not surprising that there was little interest in expanding the park as it is already a functional size. 26% wanted to “Upgrade older parks and recreation facilities”. This seems like people wanted things fixed, not removed but an additional stake holder group suggested it's removal in their "vision for the future" statement. Recently it has been noted that this group of stakeholders are the parks employees.  

Link to the survey→ https://www.randolphnj.org/DocumentCenter/View/442

• There is no plan to rebuild the park, there is no plan to reopen the empty lot. 

  • It has been suggested to resurface the lot and make it a common space for all with no ability to use rails/ramps etc. 

  • It has been suggested to go ask the county to have them create a skatepark.

    • While this would be great, it doesn't really change that one is already in Randolph waiting to be repaired. Also, why not have both.

  • The tax payer and skate community would like a DIY (do it yourself) park to be allowed in the 100x100 space until such time as a new concrete park is created. The town is pushing back because of the increase in liability insurance. They asked for a vote for the empty lot in the last meeting and everyone in the room told them it's not even worth voting on until they have a real suggestion. 

• We are working with the group "Rebuild Randolph Skatepark" and are raising town awareness and attending Township Parks and Rec meetings. The last meeting had attendance of 60 people from Randolph and nearby towns. 

• The Rebuild Randolph Skatepark group is in direct talks with Russ Newman (Parks & Rec Director) on being more open on the reasons for the parks removal and to take on adding a new park to the Township Master Plan.

•  While negotiations for a new park are ongoing, there is a push for the resurfacing of the existing park so it can be used as a DIY skate space until a new park can be made.

• Rebuild Randolph Skatepark

  • Facebook

  • Instagram

• Raise awareness around Randolph residents and surrounding skating community. 

• Continue to push for the resurfacing of the existing park so we can use it as a DIY skate space until a new park can be made. 

• Be present at the monthly Parks and Rec meetings.

• Be kind.

• Recognize that if we stay positive there is a chance to have a new park built.

• Write kind emails to Russ around what skating means and why there should be a park. rnewman@randolphnj.org