Problem at Lakeland skate park prompts new hours

LAKELAND (FOX 13) - Lakeland's skate park will be closing two hours earlier starting Monday. The city said is making the move to hopefully cut down on the problems there.

In the last two years, the city it has gotten nearly sixty complains. Police have arrested people for drugs, stealing and acting unruly.

Many of the callers are upset over what goes on in the parking lot.

"We have had a number of complaints from parents with young kids, " said Lakeland spokesman Kevin Cook. "You gotta do something about this."

If closing earlier doesn't help things calm down, the city is talking about possibly hiring someone to supervise the park, and charging admission to cover the salary.

"We worked hard to get this thing," said Bruce Phillips, President of the Lakeland Skaters Alliance. "Years and hard work, and just a few to come and spoil the fun for many? It's disappointing."