After the skate parks in Moorestown, Haddon Heights and Burlington Township were repeatedly attacked, Haddon Heights and Burlington Township permanently closed theirs.
No arrests have been made for the vandalism at Medford's park, which was shut May 3. Richmond said she thought it was a coincidence that the damage had occurred after the township stopped supervising the park six weeks ago.
Many skaters suspect the vandals are bike riders upset because they are not allowed to use the facility for their sport.
"I come here every day after school," said Mike Guarino, 16, of Medford. "It gives a lot of people something fun to do and keeps them out of trouble. We all hate that it's been closed. We're bored."
The township is trying to make it easier for skaters to help protect the park. A call box with a line to the Police Department, across the street, might be installed.
Meantime, police have increased patrols. Chief James Kehoe urged skaters to help keep out troublemakers.
"Obviously, this park is very important to you," he told the crowd. "We don't want to see it closed. If you see any problems, call us, and we will come right over."
A public cleanup day has been set for Saturday starting at 10 a.m. The park could reopen soon afterward, Richmond said. A mural or acceptable graffiti art might decorate the park after the repairs are made.
In Moorestown, the North Church Street skate park has had "pretty severe vandalism and graffiti," said Bob MacBride, the township's recreation director. "It has gotten crazy some nights, but for now we are living with it. It has not gotten so bad that we have to shut it down."
After two years of vandalism and other complaints, Haddon Heights dismantled its skate park and donated the equipment to Haddon Township, where the park will be reconstructed.
Burlington Township took down its park early last year for similar reasons.
"We had kids breaking into it and riding their bikes on it," township administrator Kevin J. McLernon said. "We had some graffiti and other issues, and we felt it was just not worth it."
What did the township do with the equipment?
"We still have it," McLernon said. "If anybody out there is interested, give me a call."
Despite the trouble, old tennis courts at Stewart Lake Park in Woodbury are being dug up to make way for a concrete skate park. The facility is still in the design stage, with construction scheduled to begin within a year.
Contact staff writer Joel Bewley at 609-261-0900 or jbewley@phillynews.com.
