BRIDGEWATER - This town is looking for a spot to house a temporary park for skateboarders.

 At least six locations were mentioned last week during an informal meeting of town council where civic politicians discussed the request put to them by the Bridgewater Development Association.

 Some properties mentioned, such as the park on North Park Street, are town-owned. Other lots discussed, such as the ones at the former Crouse and Choat property on LaHave Street, Apple Berry Farm Market on LaHave Street and the former Canadian Tire on Dufferin Street, are privately owned.

 Shipyards Landing on King Street and the arena parking lot on Dominion Street were dismissed as possibilities.

 The recreation department plans to make contact with the private landowners and will report the options back to council as early as this week.

 The association has asked for the temporary site to have a concrete or asphalt surface and it also wants the town to handle maintenance, insurance and management of the park.

 As of mid-week last week, the town hadn't contacted Kyla Pierik of the Apple Berry Farm Market. But it appears there's no interest in allowing any portion of the lot to be used by skateboarders.

 "I suspect it will be full of Apple Berry customers very soon," she said in a phone interview. "I think Apple Berry customers are in need of good parking spots that aren't encumbered by non-Apple Berry customer-related activities."

 Skateboarder Vaughn Whynot last week told councillors that a temporary site gives 'boarders a place to go since the South Shore Exhibition grounds are no longer an option.

 A site also offers a chance to evaluate ramps for damage and improve them for their permanent location wherever that may be, Mr. Whynot suggested.

 Land owned by the Bridgewater Development Association in the business park is thought to be one possibility for a permanent site. A piece of town-owned parkland on Glen Allan Drive is believed to be another option.

advertisement

 The town was close to securing land on north King Street for a permanent park in 2006 but the neighbours objected and the plan was scrapped.

 But many local skateboarders are getting fed up with the lack of progress and have moved on to enjoy skateboard parks in Chester and Lunenburg or quit altogether, said Mr. Whynot, 22, a skateboarder himself for more than a decade.

 "Skateboarding, to me, should still be a part of the community," he said. "It's an activity. It gets kids out."

posted on 06/09/09