*** St. J. skateboard park closes ***

ST. JOHSNBURY, VT -- 10/02/2005
Area youth accustomed to "taking air" on the half-pipe in the
skateboard park behind Peter Glenn of Vermont are in for a
surprise: the park is closed for the season, and possibly for good.

The park had been set up by the St. Johnsbury Recreation
Department on paved property leased for a dollar each year
since 2002 from Peter Glenn storeowners Ned and Carolyn
Hamilton.

Town employees removed the equipment Tuesday,
said Ethan Hayes, Peter Glenn Store acting manager.

"I just know I came in to work today and it (skateboard
park equipment) was gone," Hayes said.

Ned and Carolyn Hamilton said Tuesday they are not sure
if the park will reopen next spring on their property because
they believe park users did not take good care of it and they
plan to make other use of the land.

"There was supposed to be certain policing and cleanliness that
has not been adhered to … that is aggravating when you give
someone land for $1," Hamilton said.

There were also problems with youth not wearing helmets
and using the park after hours, Carolyn Hamilton said.

Originally, town employees told them the park would only
occupy their property for a year, after which it would be
moved to a different location, Hamilton said. Then, the town
came back in subsequent years, asking to use the land for
another year.

The Hamiltons say they need the land to improve their store.
They plan to put in a storage "pod" for additional merchandise
and lay the groundwork for building improvements, Ned Hamilton
said.

Hamilton said he did not know if the skateboard park
would continue to be welcome on the property next year.

"I think we exceeded what we were asked to do," he said.
"Next year is next year and we are trying to some how bring
up the quality of the area by making renovations on the building,
if we can get everything going … (if we can get) tax stabilization,"
he added.

Peter Glenn of Vermont has had a St. Johnsbury storefront on
Railroad Street for 10 years, Hamilton said. The main office is
in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where the Hamiltons spend the winter.
They summer at a home on Joe's Pond, he said.

Recreation director Joe Fox and Town Manager
Mike Welch could not be reached for comment.

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