Skatepark Repairs Part of K.I.D.S. Initiative

For more than a year, the David Gentile Skatepark on Church Street has been closed because of safety concerns. The park, with its ramps and rails sits empty, padlocked against use.

The 15,000-square-foot park is in need of repairs and if council approves funding for the K.I.D.S. (Keep Investing and Developing Sports/Recreation) Initiative, those repairs could happen.

The K.I.D.S. Initiative calls for between $25,000 and $35,000 being used for repairs at the skatepark. The K.I.D.S. Initiative will be on the agenda when council holds its regular meeting at 7:30 tonight in the William Allen Middle School Media Center.

Members of the K.I.D.S. taskforce asked council at its Jan. 24 meeting to fund repairs and improvements to the township’s recreation facilities, estimating the Phase I projects would cost between $2.3 million and $2.47 million. Members of the K.I.D.S. taskforce serve on the Recreation Advisory Committee.

In addition to the skatepark repairs, other projects include:

• Irrigation and drainage at Wesley Bishop for flag football and softball
• A turf infield for softball at Wesley Bishop
• A new turf field at Wesley Bishop for soccer, lacrosse and football to reduce field overuse
• Repairs to the skate rinks
• Turf infields for baseball fields and related repairs at Pryor Park
• Improved parking at Wesley Bishop
• ADA compliance for township parks
• Improved footpaths
• Fencing and other security measures to reduce vandalism

The skatepark was built in 2002. Named for David Gentile, who was paralyzed from the neck down in Moorestown High School football game in 1979, the park was completed with the help of a $120,000 donation from David’s mother, Joan Gentile. David died in 2001 at the age of 36.

According to Township Manager Chris Schultz, there are obvious repairs that need to be made, but there could also be unknown repairs needed.

“There are several sheets of skatelite decking requiring replacement along with replacement of malfunctioning hardware and general maintenance issues,” said Schultz. “However we do not know what condition the superstructure is underneath which may require more maintenance and/or repair. That would not be known until we begin replacing the skatelite decking.”

For two local skateboards, Luke Spetsas and Brian Aji, re-opening the skatepark is important.

“Skateboarding is not a mainstream sport like baseball or basketball, (but) it should still be respected just as much if people like to do it as much,” Spetsas said.

The skatepark, they said, keeps them and their friends active. The boys have even started a foundation, David Gentile Skatepark/DGS Foundation and are hoping to receive donations to help pay for repairs and maintenance of the park.

“It is very disappointing how the family of David Gentile had the dedication to make this park and make someone else’s life better and now it’s being shut down,” said Aji. “They gave back to the community and now we want to give back.”

“(The skatepark) is important to the kids of our township,” said Spetsas. “It brings people together, it keeps kids active and promotes Moorestown’s great reputation.”