Improvements at Upchurch Park praised

Two weeks after commissioners discussed filling in “the skateboard bowl”, Historic City News learned that the city’s efforts to address noise complaints have resulted in improvements.

City Chief Operations Officer John Regan noted that removal of higher skill rail elements “has changed the demographics. We’re not seeing older kids there now.”

The mayor, city staff, and neighboring residents, praised adjustments to the skateboard area at Hamilton Upchurch Park during Monday’s City Commission meeting

Susan Hill, a neighboring Flamingo Drive resident, thanked commissioners Monday for the “huge relief” in a change of hours for the area.

Mayor Joe Boles said that on his visits to the park, “there was more noise coming from the (adjacent) soccer field.”

Regan will be reporting to commissioners at their meeting scheduled for October 26th on a proposal to build a 12-foot sound-deadening wall and other efforts to make the skateboard area a “good neighbor”.