Story posted Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Skateboarding Banned In Uptown Garage
Skateboarders should plan to avoid the parking garage in Park Ridge's Uptown area.
The city council on Monday, June 15, passed the first reading of an ordinance banning skateboarding in the underground garage.
Aldermen discussed the issue at a Committee of the Whole meeting on May 11. At that time, they decided language in the proposed ordinance was too strong, including all parking lots. It also did not specify penalties to the council's satisfaction.
A newer version, presented on June 8, limited the ban to the underground garage. It also set penalties of parental notification for offenders under the age of 16 and fines of between $25 and $50 for those 16 or older.
The management company for the Shops of Uptown, Mid-America Asset Management, asked the city for the ban due to safety and liability issues. The police department agreed.
At the May meeting, Acting Chief Tom Swoboda said, "I don't feel the skateboards in parking areas go well." He also spoke of the skate park available for Park Ridge youth. "I did speak to the park district; they spent over $200,000 getting that skate park."
The ordinance already banned skateboards from the sidewalks of Uptown and City Commons. The council will vote on a second reading of the law at an upcoming meeting.
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