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A workshop will be conducted Saturday at Mantis Skate Park for young skate enthusiasts wanting to use the new facility.
The new skate park is prohibited to boys under age 11 and girls under age 14 for safety reasons. Attendance at Saturday's seminar is the only way youngsters will be allowed to use the park in the future, said Melody Collett, an adviser and secretary-treasurer for the Explorer Skate Post 2712. The Post operates the park in conjunction with the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department.
The workshop will entail advice on safety precautions and skating techniques for in-line skating and skateboarding.
The event is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.
Collett said demand for participation among youngsters too young to use the park is strong.
"We turn kids away every day," Collett said.
The Post has 66 members ranging in age from 14 to 20. The Boys Scouts Troop 712 serves boys 11-13.
The park has regular daily hours of operation, but is reliant on adult supervision. Currently, the Post has about 38 advisers and volunteers who assist in that role.
But Collett said more advisers and volunteers are needed.
The park opened several months ago in a somewhat rare arrangement in which the city agreed to help cover some of the costs of the park as long as the Explorer's Post continues to serve as a conduit for liability coverage. Park hours are 3:30 p.m. to dark Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Although skating continues to thrive as a national pastime for young people, few public parks provide specialized skate facilities because of liability concerns.
The city and post have hosted several events at the park in few months and attracted skaters from throughout the area.
Collett said the skate post will remain active during the winter and will look at becoming involved in other events such as snow boarding.
For more details about becoming involved in the post, call Collett at 268-1937.
