Wrong decision to close skate park

As a resident of East Haven for 68 years, I was appalled to find out that the skate park had been dismantled. I live around the corner from the park and I enjoyed seeing young people outside being active and having fun. The park was used on a regular basis, regardless of the weather or season. Previous to the park, there were tennis courts that were seldom used. In 2017, a state grant was given for $200,000 to build the park, but then in secrecy, without town hearings, some bureaucrats made a harebrained and highfalutin decision to tear it down. This decision has affected the community of young and old alike who benefited from the park.

Is this even legal as these were state funds that were used which usually stipulate that with changes made the money may have to be returned? Who are these people and what is their aim? I worry about the psychological and physical health these past two years, as “normal” activities and socialization has been curtailed. There’s nothing more healthy than breathing fresh air and keeping your body active, and yet some people came to this conclusion? The argument against the park is that nefarious things were going on like smoking pot (it was legalized — remember?) And bottles have been found. To blame this on the kids using the park is wrong. Strange cars come and go and they park at the school and also at the soccer field of which I find these same items littering the parking lot. Should we close that, as well? These decisions in town are being made by people who have forgotten that we are a republic not a monarchy.

Joan Sayers

East Haven