Is the City going to ban skateboards from Midtown and the Arts & Design District?
No, that is not the intent of recent amendments proposed to the City of Carmel’s ordinance that covers skateboards. The intent is to keep our residents safe and City property protected from damage.
Over the past few months, we have heard complaints from visitors to Midtown that some skateboarders are riding a little too fast on crowded sidewalks near the patios of Sun King and Fork + Ale, the two businesses that border the Plaza. These sidewalks are often very crowded with people and mixing that crowd with kids on skateboards is something to be concerned about.
The intent is to keep our residents safe and City property protected from damage.
In addition, we have seen some skateboarders “grinding” their boards on the edges of the wooden structures at the Plaza that are intended to be places for people to sit. Edging can cause damage and ruin these structures over time. We have also seen this being done on various structures inside the Monon Greenway.
Another example: We have heard reports that skateboarders are skating inside the Midtown parking garage, particularly on the ramp that leads to the entryway on Veterans Way. This is a dangerous mix of kids on skateboards and vehicles.
No changes have been made yet. But the proposed amendments are currently being vetted in a Council committee before they return to the full Council for a final vote. These committee meetings are open to the public and residents are urged to contact members of the Council to voice their concerns.
Authored by Laura Campbell, Ron Carter, Sue Finkam, Anthony Green, Bruce Kimball, Kevin Rider and Jeff Worrell