Logan restricts access to skatepark — and some residents are very unhappy

By Julianne Kidd

Any other warm spring day would bring the sound of kids shouting and boards scraping against concrete. Avid skateboarders, bikers and rollerbladers would normally be found congregating at the city’s skate park, anxious to be outside after a long Cache Valley winter.
But now Logan is deep into COVID-19 quarantine measures and the Fairview skatepark is a ghost town.

The skate park was shut down March 31 with the rest of the city’s playgrounds, a decision made by the Parks and Recreation Department to guard against the threat of coronavirus. But the city’s decision does not sit well with those who would like to be at the park rather than cooped up in their homes.

Among those who oppose the city’s decision is Chad Moulton, a student at Utah State University. He believes city leaders have taken a step too far in trying to control the spread of the virus.

“The city’s actions demonstrate that they believe their residents are incapable of making their own healthcare decisions,” Moulton said. “I can see the logic in closing down the rec center and having other city employees work from home so that the employees aren’t risking exposure at work, but the playgrounds and the skate park require no employees.”

Moulton wishes the city had simply given recommendations and left the decisions to residents and their families.  

“Their closure says ‘we know better than you and we're taking away your choice,’” he said.

Karly Alder lives around the corner from the skate park and said the neighborhood has “had a different feel” since the park closed. She said it has been “too quiet” without kids socializing at the park. “Of course it’s disappointing,” she said.

“I go to the park to practice on my skateboard, to socialize with others and watch some amazing tricks people can do,” Alder said. “I witness tons of people enjoying the skate park; it's definitely loved by many.”

The department’s director, Russ Akina, explained that the closure comes from a plea from the public to enforce stricter restrictions and from guidelines recommended by state and county entities.

“The skate park was closed in response to observations shared by the public to the city of skaters not exercising social distancing,” Akina said.

City council member Amy Anderson said that because of the large crowds that can gather at the park, it is hard to ensure proper safety measures are followed. “The skate park, since it is difficult to maintain social distancing and cleaning just like playgrounds, was closed and remains closed,” Anderson said.

Akina​ said he​ understands the disappointment the closure brings to users. “I would much rather have all our park amenities accessible to the public, especially after being inside for the winter,” Akina said.

Yet, he pointed out that now is the time for people to come together and make some unpleasant sacrifices.

“We understand how deadly this virus is and really need the public's voluntary compliance until things get better,” Akina said. “And, they'll only get better if everyone does their part.”

The skate park is located directly behind the city swimming pool near the Cache County Fairgrounds, making access to the park convenient for youth and their parents. But park access is hardly convenient now due to cement barricades the city has placed at the park’s entrances. Large construction signs also dot the edges of the skate park warning violators to stay out or risk prosecution.

Cement barricades may be able to keep cars out, but any person looking to visit the park can easily access the premises by foot. So how far would the city go in enforcing the park’s closure?  

Logan City Police Chief Gary Jensen said that the “obvious” course of action would be to “cite and arrest” those who do not heed the closure signs. But so far the police department has not needed to take such action.

“We try to offer simple education as to why the closures are mandated and ask for cooperation and compliance,” Jensen said. “If simple education does not work, greater measure can then be sought out.”

There is no clear date when the skate park and other playgrounds will reopen. Akina noted that all city-owned park amenities, not just playgrounds, are “subject to closure” according to how the pandemic situation evolves.

“Where discretion has been extended to the city, such as park amenities currently open to the public, this may change at any time as the effects of the coronavirus evolve,” Akina said.

Akina and the city council made clear that the closure is of playgrounds and park facilities, areas where sanitizing and disinfecting is hard to manage. Park fields, trails, and dog parks are still open for the public. Logan leaders encourage residents to get outside and use these areas — at a safe distance, of course — while soft quarantine measures are in place.

The parks department announced Tuesday morning that pavilions and picnic tables will now be included in the park closure.