The Skate St. Park is not yet complete and Chesterton Park Board members are angry and frustrated enough over the out of control litter at the site that they’ve threatened to shut the skate park down.

“There’s got to be some accountability,” said park board president Vincent Emanuele.

Board member Roy Flaherty said he can’t understand why there isn’t more “pride of ownership,” in the new skate site.

“We gave them what they wanted, they helped build it,” he said. “It’s a simple thing--you can’t throw your trash on the ground.”

And the park board, as administrator of the park system, “can’t allow a new facility to become a trash pit,” he added.

Other groups, Emanuele said, citing Pop Warner and the Soccer Club, clean up after themselves.

The issue came up just as Vic Roberts, developer and builder, reported to the board that the committee raising funds for development of the Skate Park is nearing its final goals, a fence for the area and additional ramps.

Funds are being raised now for a fence and bids are being sought, Roberts reported on behalf of the Duneland Xtreme Sports Club. “We’ve got enough for the fence, but not enough yet for the last two ramps.”

Roberts for his part said he got involved late in the process of developing the park but is glad to see the area being used and feels it fills a definite need.

“These kids are not your mainstream athletes,” he said, but valuable lessons are being learned at the Skate Park; social skills are being developed and kids have to take turns using the ramp features.

He said some kids were extremely interested while the park was being built. “They just wanted to help,” Roberts said, “It’s a labor of love.”

Some kids can’t play organized sports, for whatever reason, he said. “This gives them a place to be together (with their peers) and be social and physical.”

He said not all the kids there are responsible for the litter-- “There’s a lot of demand, a lot of use there.” This is not an organized group, not a club activity with adult supervision, Roberts pointed out.

Feelings on the issue were not helped by the fact that Park Board Superintendent Bruce Mathias had spent a good part of the day Tuesday repairing damage to the fountain wall in Thomas Park--damaged by skateboarders.

Regular Park Board attendee Paul Tharp said he’d gone to the site to check on the litter when he’d heard park board members complain about it previously.

“It wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be,” he said, though when he said that to a youth at the park the response, “It’s early,” didn’t inspire confidence. “It’s a nice facility,” Tharp said. “It doesn’t take much effort to take care of it.”

Flaherty asked Roberts to do what he can to send the message to the Skate Park users. “We want them to be there, but if they want it to stay there they need to develop a habit of cleaning up.”

Roberts said he would try, adding he didn’t know what the answer is. Maybe once there’s a fence if it’s dirty, “Lock it up. I don’t know.”

The Skate Park, where it’s been placed, is a gateway to the town, Flaherty said. “It’s just weeks old. They need to clean it up, or we’ll shut it down.”

Board member Eric Witt, who has also volunteered to build the Skate Park, thanked Roberts for his volunteer time. “We know you’re here for the kids,” he said. “Let’s try to get the group leaders to put some pressure on.”