By Steve Hubrecht
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Rumours of troubles at the Mount Nelson Athletic Park skatepark have been bubbling for some time, and Invermere council briefly discussed the matter at its late March council meeting.

The issue was brought up by Invermere councillor Kayja Becker, who mentioned that she has been approached by several parents concerned about the skatepark. 

Becker said the parents outlined to her that “it’s become a really unwelcoming place, apparently, for little kids. There’s bullying. It’s not seeming like a safe place.”

She mentioned that she knows that, as with any municipal park, parents are responsible for supervising their kids if they feel supervision is order, but added to council members that parents had asked about the possibility of bylaw officer or even police support to improve the situation. Becker mentioned that she told the parents that supervising the skatepark is not necessarily part of the bylaw officer or police’s roles, but asked council if it would consider asking district staff to send out a message on social media, reminding kids to behave properly at the skatepark.

“At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we ran into issues with large gatherings there. Not that we need to be the sticklers breaking up groups, but it is something that, as it gets warmer and as it (the skatepark) gets more users, that (should) be on our radar,” said Becker. 

Invermere mayor Al Miller said Becker was making some good points and said he supported the idea of sending out a social media message.

“I’ve not heard there were difficulties at the skatepark,” said Invermere chief administrative officer Andrew Young.

Miller responded that he’s heard several comments to that effect, particularly on social media.

A few days after the discussion, the district posted a message on its Facebook page outlining the importance of following the rules of the park, respecting others, and sharing the space, with a brochure on park etiquette attached.

Several days later, another message was posted, this one addressing litter left in the skatepark, asking users to “be sure to take all of your trash with you instead of leaving it around the park…When the park has trash and litter everywhere, it makes it less appealing to go there and is terrible for the environment.”