ATHENS, Tenn. — Continued damage by skateboarders may lead to discussions at Thursday’s work session about stricter controls.
Athens Mayor John Proffitt said the issue is on the agenda.
“I think we will have to revisit this,” Mr. Proffitt said.
The city opened a skatepark near the municipal swimming pool, but some skaters aren’t using it, officials said.
The council last year passed a skateboard ordinance after talking for months about how strict it should be. An early version would have banned skateboarders on downtown public property. The version that was passed was less restrictive and allows business owners to post “No skateboarding” signs on their property.
Ellen Kimball, director of the Athens Arts Council, said the organization has ordered but not yet received its “No skateboarding” sign.
“We have had skateboarders but so far no damage,” Ms. Kimball said.
If signs are posted, police can cite violators without business owners having to file a complaint.
Some business owners said their buildings face public sidewalks and have been damaged by skateboarders.
Antique shop owner Bill Bennett said he has had scrapes on his storefront, apparently from skateboards hitting the glass.
He said skateboarders speed down sidewalks and streets in front of the businesses, which endangers workers and customers. He said some owners would like the city to ban all skateboards downtown.
“But since the skateboard park opened, I think there have been fewer (skateboarders) downtown,” Mr. Bennett said.
City Police Chief Chuck Ziegler said the number of complaints is about the same as before the park opened, but “there seems to be more locations involved.”
He said complaints have come from the Senior Citizens Center south of downtown, from the Arts Council lot near the Tennessee Wesleyan campus and from the Ingle’s shopping center along Decatur Pike.
Although more skaters are wearing helmets, Chief Ziegler said, “I don’t think the skatepark has had a positive impact on the problems.”
Skaters have to register with the city and get an identification card before they are allowed in the skatepark. Helmets are required and rules are enforced, officials said.
Parks and Recreation Director Austin Fesmire said some skaters have been banned from the park, and those who skate there follow the regulations.
In most cases, he said, park officials talked with parents, and their children fell in line.
“We had a continual problem with one group, but they were from other cities,” Mr. Fesmire said.
He said bleachers at the park allow parents to observe and to report if they see a problem. During the summer, pool employees can help monitor the park, he said.
Mr. Fesmire said he doesn’t believe park skaters are the ones causing problems elsewhere in town.
