Hazlet ramps up plans for skateboard park BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer "We just wanted to give these kids a recreation facility [to] give these kids something to do." - James DiNardo Mayor HAZLET - X-Gamers, rejoice: Hazlet is in the development stages of building a skate park, which is expected to be completed by spring. The skate park, or as it is currently being termed, "skateboard arena," will be located adjacent to the roller skating rink near the Hazlet Swim & Tennis Club in Veterans Memorial Park, Union Avenue. Mayor James Di- Nardo said he and the rest of the Township Committee are very excited that they can provide a skateboarding outlet to the youth in Hazlet. "There are skateboarders all over Hazlet," DiNardo said. "A bunch of young kids. And that's a good thing. We wanted to get them off the streets and away from skateboarding around the train station. That's why we came up with this plan." The plan was a bipartisan effort, with Di- Nardo working along with state Sen. Joseph Kyrillos (R-Monmouth/Middlesex) to obtain funding to offset the project's estimated $175,000-$185,000 cost. DiNardo said this is his second attempt at building a skate park, and he is glad that the proposal finally has support. "Actually for the last four years [Deputy Mayor Kevin Lavan] and I have been thinking about it," DiNardo said. "We just wanted to give these kids a recreation facility [to] give these kids something to do." The skate park will be comprised of a mini-ramp with a kicker wedge, a fun box, two freestanding grind rails, a quarter pipe and a jump box. The facility will be fenced in along with a refurbished roller rink beside it so that bicycles will not be allowed in. "With the way the gates are, you will only be allowed to get in with skateboards," Di- Nardo said. "Bicycles would probably only be able to get in if the person threw it over the fence." There are other guidelines that will be enforced: the skate park will follow the park's operating hours of between sunrise and sunset and the park will be closed during school hours to ensure that kids will not be tempted to skip school. "When the kids come by after school, someone will be here to unlock [the skate park]," DiNardo said. The police will monitor the area frequently to make sure the area is used properly. DiNardo said that he is looking to the community to help pay for the skate park. The committee will be holding a dinner dance fundraiser along with an ad journal and silent auction in the upcoming future. In the end DiNardo is looking forward to finally being able to provide this amenity for the youth of Hazlet. "A lot of towns are doing them, and Kevin and I feel that there is a need for one in this town," DiNardo said. "I think that it will be welcomed immensely and that kids are going to have a great time." Monetary donations will also be accepted. Checks can be made out to Hazlet Township, and donors can place "Skate Park" in the memo. Contributions can be mailed to c/o Ms. Catherine Campbell, Hazlet Township CFO, 1766 Union Ave., Hazlet, N.J. 07730. All major contributors will be acknowledged on a plaque which will be mounted on the arena.