No bikes allowed

MILTON — The rules about who can use the Steve Morgan Skate Park in Milton will stay as is, at least for the time being following the failure of an ordinance. Currently, park rules allow only skateboarders.

Milton council July 10 heard a first reading of an ordinance to allow a set time for bicycles to be allowed in the park. Councilman Jeff Snow made a motion to approve the ordinance reading. However, without a second, the ordinance reading “died” in council.  

Councilman Casey Powell said that he would still like to see discussion on this topic at the committee of the whole meeting.

“I don’t feel confident that we have enough information to make a decision tonight,” Powell said. “I would still like to have discussion so we can get a little more information on the subject.”

Milton resident Tammy Brown spoke about her concern for having the bikes on the skate park prior to the reading.  

“The park is amazing to me," she said. "It has made such an positive impact. I’m not trying to alienate the BMX bikes. I just have some safety concerns. I’m just very concerned about the merger.”

According to Brown, her son had wanted to work with Councilwoman Pat Lunsford with the initial idea for the skate park in 2007. After his unexpected death, Brown and her husband continued working with the council to see the park to completion in his memory, she said, which was named after him.

Brown said while she was concerned about allowing the bikers into the park, she was in full support of them having their own park and was willing to help find a place for one.

“The bikers need a place,” she said.

Truly Spokin Bike Shop owner Mark Woolson was disappointed about the failure of the ordinance. Woolson said he was at the skate park when police asked him to leave following a call about a bicyclist.

“Skateboarders and bicyclers can get along,” Woolson said. “I’ve been going there frequently—thought I was breaking a rule, not a law, until it was explained to me last week.”

Woolson said there is etiquette for skaters and bicyclists and it is the same for both. While there is always some danger involved with skaters and bicyclists sharing a park, he said, they can and should co-exist.

“It’s a shame that we have such a wonderful asset and we are not using it to its fullest potential.” Woolson said.

Snow felt the same.  

“I’m disappointed.” he said. “I think we still had time to get the information that this council needs. I hope that [council] truly takes the time to speak with staff are very educated with this.”

Mayor Wesley Meiss said that while the motion did not pass, the issue would be readdressed at the 3 p.m. committee of the whole meeting July 19 and that he would be doing research on it.

“We want to make the best decision for Milton,” Meiss said.  

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: No bikes allowed