Friday, May 2, 2003
Friday, May 2, 2003 |
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PTC Skatepark To Open for BMX Bikes Starting May 5, the Peachtree City Parks and Recreation Department will begin to make its skatepark available for use by BMX bikers. In the past, the park has only been available to skateboarders and in-line rollerbladers. Concerns for the safety of participants and possible damage to the equipment had kept the Recreation Department from allowing BMX bikes in the past. "We had some concerns. Primarily, for the safety of the participants. However, our research indicates that use of BMX bikes on this equipment is no more dangerous than use with skateboards or rollerblades" said Jim O'Connell, athletic coordinator for the Peachtree City Parks and Recreation Department. "Secondly, we were concerned about the possible damage to the equipment. Once again, our research indicates that bikes do not cause more damage than skateboards or rollerblades. In the end, we decided that there is a group that want this type of use for the skatepark, and we hope to accommodate them." The plan is to set aside two days a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, for the BMX bikers. They will be given priority on those days, though skateboarders and rollerbladers will still be allowed to use the park on those days if space allows. "One of the problems in doing this is that, since this is a relatively small park, there is a danger of the bikers and skateboarders/rollerbladers interfering with each other. We hope that this plan will avoid that problem." O'Connell said. "After a month or so, we'll look at the numbers and see if we need to make any changes." The park has a monitor on duty during all hours that the park is open who is there to enforce the park rules. There is already a BMX bike track at Shakerag Knoll near the skatepark. However, the "trick riding" that some BMX bikers like to do is different than the "track riding" that is done at the track. "When we were originally asked about allowing the BMX bikes at the skatepark, our first response was 'that's what the track is for.' But we have had a number of requests for this, and we are now seeing that the two activities are completely different," said O'Connell. Those who wish to use the skatepark, whether on a skateboard, rollerblades or bike, need to obtain a park pass from the recreation department. Participants must be Fayette County residents, and there is a one-time fee of $5 for the pass. County residents can also obtain a one-week pass for out-of-county visitors for $3. For more information, contact the Peachtree City Parks and Recreation Department at (770) 631-2542.
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