Published: April 21, 2008 11:01 pm      

Once shuttered city playground now getting upgrade

Just one year ago, the gates of Johnstown’s controversial skateboard park were locked.

Now, the Fairfield Avenue facility’s future looks bright due to the efforts of a volunteer organization.

Members of the West End Improvement Group on Monday kicked off improvements designed to transform the park into a greener, more user-friendly space for kids and nearby residents.

And they noted that more cash is needed to make those plans a reality.

“Donations are always accepted and graciously appreciated,” said Marie Mock, the improvement group’s secretary/treasurer.

The skate park opened in 2005 on the Bheam School playground, but its initial popularity soon was overshadowed by a neighbor’s complaints about noise and foul language.

Officials reacted by restricting the park’s hours.

The situation worsened last spring, when City Manager Curt Davis shut the facility because the city could no longer afford to pay an employee overtime to close the park each evening.

Several proposals to move the skate park to another neighborhood never materialized.

That’s when the West End Improvement Group stepped up.

“It should remain here,” said John Slezak, who leads the organization’s crime watch. “It shouldn’t go across town.”

With the group taking responsibility for the park, solutions fell into place. City employees moved skate ramps closer to Fairfield Avenue and away from a nearby home.

With a $2,500 grant from the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, the improvement group will plant vegetation to beautify the park and provide a noise buffer.

Other changes are in the works.

Rose Howarth, the group’s vice president, said city officials will paint lines for a kickball court in a vacant space between the skating area and Fairfield.

“The city’s been terrific,” Howarth said.

Volunteers also hope to install a children’s play area at the park.

Howarth warned, though, that the play area will be “quite costly.” Her group is searching for money to start that project, which does not yet have a schedule.

“It depends on the funding,” Howarth said.

Slezak said those who use the park have improved the site’s reputation and appearance.

“The kids have definitely been cooperating with us,” he said.

“They’re helping us keep this place open.”