Enthusiasts are

pleased with facility

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The punk rock band "Civil Disobedience" played at low volume on a small, portable stereo as more than New Ulm 30 teenage boys rode their in-line skates and skateboards over the obstacles on the new skate park Tuesday afternoon.

A teenage girl watched the boys from a far corner of the park.

The unsupervised, fenced park, located at the corner of German and First Street South, just north of the BMX dirt bike track, opened for the first time last Friday.

New Ulm Park and Recreation Director Dave Bechtold admitted the park is "inherently dangerous" but extolled its virtues.

The thinking behind the creation of the $110,000 skate park is to provide skaters with a place to perform instead of using public areas downtown, in parks or on school property, which is against city ordinances.

Because the half-pipe and other skate park features are low, the City of New Ulm assumes no liability for loss, damage or any kind of injury or accident to people or property, Bechtold said.

The park department followed League of Minnesota Cities guidelines to build the park.

"It's heavily used," Bechtold said. "We just ask that the park be used in a safe manner. We're trying to do the best we can to work with the neighbors. We want to work hand-in-hand with anybody around it so we're sure everything fits together."

A general rules list will be placed on a sign in the park soon. The rules:

* For your protection, wear a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards and a mouth protector.

* No bikes are allowed, only roller blades and skateboards.

* No tobacco products, alcohol or illegal drugs.

* No profanity, loud music or disruptive behavior.

* Respect other park patrons and share the space.

* Respect the neighbors and their property.

* Keep the facility clean, no glass allowed, use garbage containers.

* Don't use the park when it's raining or the park surface is wet.

* All city parks close at 11 p.m.

Bechtold recommended skaters check their equipment every time they use it to ensure it is in good working order.

The skaters had good things to say about their new park. Most of them were not wearing protective equipment Tuesday.

"It's, fun, it looks nice and it's a great place for people to hang out. I like the fun box," said 14-year-old Jake Pruett. "It's better than getting in trouble (skating) downtown."

Samu Miller voiced concern for novice skaters who might try to do something beyond their ability.

"Some kids that aren't very good will try to do things they can't and get hurt," Miller said.

Last weekend, a youth suffered a broken ankle at the park, a teenage boy said. One of the skaters in the park Tuesday had a cracked front tooth.

Very few girls have tried skating in the park.

"There was a girl here Monday," J. J. Schwab said. "She tried most things including the half pipe and fell a couple times."

Schwab said he is excited about the prospect of adding new skate park features each year.

Jeff Havemeier admitted he was fined $60 and had to attend teen court after getting ticketed for skating in prohibited spots in town.

"I'm glad we have the park," Havemeier said. "It gives us a chance to meet all the skaters in New Ulm, which is really cool."

Kris Gramentz said he appreciated the fact that the park is free. Admission is $10, $13 if pads are rented, at an indoor and outdoor skate park in Mankato.

The skate park will help keep kids out of trouble, Matt Kitzberger said.

"It's awesome," said Zach Schugel. "I get to see all the skating talent in town show off their stuff."

Jeremiah Harden, 18, of New Ulm, was the veteran skater at the park. He displayed more complex moves than any other kids in the park could perform.

Harden has been skating for five years. He's tried Mankato and Shakopee, which has a park similar to New Ulm's. He's skated a more challenging skate park under a bridge in the Twin Cities, called "Third Layer."

Beau Carbert of New Ulm said it gets hot in the park when the sun shines and the temperature is high, creating the need to use the water fountain at the nearby BMX track.

Future park plans include a grand opening in about two weeks and a visit from a Mankato skating club.

For more information, call the New Ulm Park and Recreation Department at 359-8344.

Skate park opens in New Ulm