It was built for skateboarders after a grassroots effort that lasted
years, but less than three months after the Martha's Vineyard
Skatepark opened in Oak Bluffs, the skaters are dealing with some
uninvited guests - bicyclists.

By COOPER DAVIS

The grass parking lot of the West Tisbury Fire Station was filled with some classic Vineyard vehicles — Volvo wagons, small pickups and of course, Subarus. Some cars were left running, stereos sending reggae music wafting through the stiff April winds. The bleachers were crowded with Islanders young and old, braving the sunny but chilly day to witness the first annual Island kickball classic.

Calling it a danger to those who skateboard there, an insurance inspector for the town of Oak Bluffs has called for the town skate park on the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven road to be closed immediately.

Paul Chipman, senior risk control consultant for the town’s insurance carrier Trident Insurance, sent a letter to town administrator Michael Dutton on March 19 laying out his concerns about hazardous conditions at the park, while recommending it be closed immediately.

Keep the Skate Park Open

The recommendation from an Oak Bluffs town insurance inspector on the skate park came out of the blue last week, catching everyone by surprise, including the nonprofit organization that operates the park across the road from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. Citing equipment safety hazards and liability concerns, the insurance inspector has recommended that the park be closed.

Oak Bluffs will allow the skate park on the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road to remain open, despite a recent call from the town insurance carrier to shut it down because of safety concerns.

Town administrator Michael Dutton this week said highway superintendent Richard Combra, town police and superintendent of schools Dr. James H. Weiss met recently with Elaine Barse, president of the Martha’s Vineyard Skate Park Association, to discuss the issues at the park.