By Brenna R. Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Ben Cook, 14, of Edgewood clears a rail Wednesday at the Florence/Boone County Skate Park in Florence. Officials are looking for skateboarders, bikers and in-line skaters to be part of a committee that would advise officials, pick up trash and keep watch over the park. The Enquirer/GARY LANDERS

FLORENCE - City and county officials charged with running the Florence/Boone County Skate Park never anticipated that skateboarders might tear up a picnic table to use as an obstacle, or that teenagers would use the woods in lieu of a bathroom.

That's why they turned to a group of skateboarders, bikers and in-line skaters to be their eyes and ears at the wildly popular park.

The Skate Park Committee advises the officials, picks up trash and keeps a watch over the park.

"Every time I go up there, I get the kids together and clean up the trash," said committee member and skater Jonathan Mull, 28.

When a bolted-down picnic table was uprooted to become an obstacle, the committee told officials the bolts were too small to do the job.

The committee also asked for a bathroom after park users started using nearby businesses and the woods, and asked for a soda machine, which has since been installed.

But the committee, which had nine members when the park opened last June, has dwindled to three.

"Some have moved away and some have lost interest," said Lauren Perkins, program director of the Florence Parks and Recreation Department.

So the city wants six new members. Anyone who uses the skate park and is at least 12 is eligible.

"We want to inject it with the enthusiasm we had" when the park opened, said Ken Hund, Boone County Parks director.

"At first, a lot of people came because (the city) was letting people on the committee ride before it was open," said Aaron Fisk, 16, one of the three remaining members.

Fisk, who rides the park "every time I can unless I'm on the injured list," said he also likes having a say in what goes on at the park.

When the new committee members are selected, their first job will be planning the one-year anniversary of the skate park's opening and organizing a safety clinic.

Applicants must write an essay about why they want to be on the committee. The new members will be chosen by Perkins and Hund, who hope to get a mix of bikers, boarders and in-line skaters.

The committee will meet once a month during the spring and summer, but the day and time have not been decided, Perkins said.

To become a new member of the Skate Park Committee, contact Lauren Perkins at 647-5439 or prcoop@cityofflorenceky.com by April 30.

E-mail bkelly@enquirer.com