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Residents, doctors warn council about safety and emergency-response limits for proposed High Point skate park
Summary
During public hour residents and a physician urged the borough to reconsider or add safety measures to the proposed unstaffed skate park at High Point Park, citing serious injury risks and limited local trauma resources.
Several speakers told council they support recreation but urged a stronger safety plan or reconsideration for a proposed skate park at High Point Park, warning that unmonitored skate facilities create a high risk of severe injury.
Dr. Denai Powers, a physician who described experience in critical care and transplant programs, said skate parks produce severe injuries and urged borough leaders to consult medical experts on safety, monitoring and emergency response. "A skate park is a high risk activity," she said, adding that unobserved injuries in an outdoor, unfenced facility increase the risk of delayed care.
Shannon Jones, a parent who said she had been involved in earlier skate‑park discussions, also expressed concern about the borough's ability to respond to serious head and spine injuries and noted regional limits in trauma transport (AirMed/medevac availability can be weather‑dependent). She asked the borough to reconsider spending on the project, saying a $2.5 million figure referenced in public discussion would serve many other needs.
Why it matters: Speakers framed their remarks as safety and capacity concerns, not a blanket opposition to recreation. They asked council to ensure trained monitoring, protective policies, fencing, signage and emergency coordination if the project proceeds.
Council response
Council heard the comments during public hour; no formal action on the skate park was recorded in the meeting. Mayor Fontaine and staff did not make a project decision during this session.
Ending
Speakers concluded by urging council to consult medical and emergency‑services expertise and to consider design, monitoring and liability mitigation if the skate park proceeds.
