Published: August 11, 2006 09:53 am            

Skateboarding a popular trend for Princeton's youth

By JEFF FLEMING

Princeton Times



PRINCETON- For decades now, they have been a subculture in almost every American city and town. They can be seen on the streets, in parking lots, garages, empty swimming pools and anywhere else there might be stairs, rails or ramps. They often annoy business owners and residents, and are the reason for many police reports. They are skateboarders.

First made popular in California when surfers found a way to “surf” on land, skateboarding has continually grown in popularity around the world. Recently, it has become more than a pastime for teenagers, as professional skaters such as Tony Hawk have made millions of dollars competing and signing endorsement deals.

But here in Princeton, far away from the glamour of ESPN’s X-Games, skateboarders are usually found in small groups, with no fans, no one cheering, and perhaps even a few people yelling at them.

“We are just having some fun, we’re not doing anything bad,” said Joe Thompson, who was found skateboarding with his friends around Mercer St. “There’s nothing else to do, and nobody’s getting hurt,” said Thompson. He and his friends said they do not understand why they are often ran off of sidewalks, parking lots and other places.

Most store owners and businesses are concerned with possible destruction of property, and with the idea that one of the skateboarders may get hurt on their property, leading to lawsuits.

In order to help protect both the skateboarders and the businesses, Princeton has designed its own skate park, where for $1, kids of all ages can skateboard all day.

“We are opened every day, from 10 am until dusk, and on Sunday from noon until 6 PM,” said Amanda Whittaker, Princeton’s director of recreation. “Depending on weather of course.” The park averages 15-20 skaters a day. Those under 18 must have their parents sign a waiver, and must wear a helmet. The park also offers other features that private property skaters do not have.

“They can play video games here, get a cold drink, go in and out as they please. They also have access to a phone and people that can help if there is an injury,” said Whittaker. The skate park is located behind the Princeton Recreation Center.

Still, many skaters prefer the streets, sidewalks and parking lots of Princeton.

“There is more stuff to do around here, more jumps and stuff, the park is too small,” said Thompson. Skating where you are not allowed also falls in line with the rebel persona many skaters embrace.

“Its just...cooler...to do it out here, no one is watching us, we can go wherever we want and try new stuff,” said Keith Stimple, who was skating with Thompson.

Each week, 911 dispatchers receive complaints about the skaters, often citing that they are trespassing, or creating a disturbance. Usually the skaters are gone before police arrive.

“They usually just tell us to stop it, or to go somewhere else,” said Josh Webb, another skater who prefers the open streets to the enclosed skate park. Many skaters complain they have been given a bad reputation that has more to do with their appearance than their activity.

“If we were dressed like this and just hanging out, they would still call the cops. It’s just because we have baggy clothes,” said Webb.

Skateboarding, once thought to be another passing fad, appears to be here to stay. While the city continues to offer safe, legal places for the skaters to apply their trade, hitting the open streets seems to fall more in line with the skateboarder’s mantra.

“We’ll just keep skating out here until we don’t want to anymore, there’s no reason to stop,” said Thompson. -Contact Jeff Fleming at jfleming@ptonline.net.

        

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