Forks In-Line with Regional Skate Park

Forks Township is now on board with a possible regional skate park in Easton, although residents at last week's supervisors meeting said they favor building a skate park in the township.

The supervisors unanimously approved a resolution endorsing the proposed regional skate park. Once constructed, the park would be in Lower Hackett Park in Easton. The passage of the resolution now allows the township to be involved in discussions for the .

“I still don’t think this precludes a skate park in Forks Township,” said Supervisor Erik Chuss, expressing the same thought as that of the residents. “My guess is that if we don’t provide something in the township the younger ones that don’t drive are just going to meet at the town center and practice their skills.” 

In July, supervisorsa proposal to lease lot space at the Forks Shopping Plaza and construct a modular skate park. The park, which was estimated to cost $82,500, would be moved to the new 52-acre park on Newlins and Richmond roads in three years. Should Forks decide not to enter into a regional skate park agreement, the plans for a in the township could be revisited.

Once completed, the regional skate park -- costing $150,000 -- would be a 7,700-square-foot concrete structure. The park would be built on an existing slab that contains a no-longer-used street hockey rink and a parking lot in Lower Hackett Park, according to Easton Mayor Sal Panto.

Seven municipalities are considering the regional skate park, including Forks and . Should Forks agree to a regional skate park, Panto estimates its contribution would be about $21,000.

Chuss said although he is in support of the plan, a lot of questions remain.

Annual contributions and park maintenance still remain to be worked out. Supervisor Lilly Gioia said she favors doing a survey in Forks to determine the number of skateboarders and base contributions on that number. Supervisor C. David Howell said the question of the number of skateboarders in Forks was posed to a representative of the Boys and Girls Club of Easton, and the answer was, “you’ll be lucky if you have 50.”

Area residents, meanwhile, said they favor a skate park, but in Forks.

 “It’s difficult and dangerous for kids to get to Easton,” said resident Margaret Karpin. “We should do what is best for our own kids first. Easton is a whole different environment.”

“I think the kids in Forks Township need their own skate park,” said former supervisor Bonnie Nicholas. “Put it [a skate park] in Forks Township! I’m tired of supporting everybody else’s idea.”

Resident Brett Bonafonti said he’s not sure that youngsters from Forks will be able to get to Lower Hackett Park.

“I do continue to say that we should be looking into LANTA bus and see how they can help us with transportation,” said Gioia.

But according to Howell, a LANTA bus goes within four blocks of the park. 

“I don’t think transportation should be a critical issue,” he said. “You build something and they will get there.”