University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
UpDate - Vol. 16, No. 21, Feb. 27, 1997

                            Costly repairs:
             Campus to put the skids on skateboard damage
                                   
     Skateboarding in unauthorized areas on campus is
increasing and resulting in physical and aesthetic damage to
campus property. Several locations, including the outdoor
tennis courts at the Carpenter Sports Building, the McKinly
Laboratory plaza, Lammot du Pont Laboratory entrances and
surfaces adjacent to both Colburn Laboratory and Hullihen
Hall have sustained costly skateboarding damage.
     Dick Walter, facilities management, said one sign of
damage is a black, wax-like residue left on the white
limestone capping stones that top most of the brick-lined
access ramps and walkways on campus. In addition to marring
these areas, their edged surfaces often become gouged and
broken.
     These same markings can be found on steps, curbs,
concrete benches and other surfaces targeted for use by
skateboarders and riders of certain types of sports
bicycles, he said.
     These sport bicycles engage in "pegging," where a bike
is rotated on a metal stud protruding from its frame. "One
such mountain bike caused $6,000 worth of damage in
approximately 10 minutes," Mark Golden, facilities
management, said.
      In 1996, Walter said, the University spent about
$25,000 on repairs, including removal of the residue by
power-washing, replacement of heavily damaged stones and
installation of protective devices.
     While it is acceptable to skateboard on sidewalks,
roadways and flat surfaces on campus, he said new procedures
for protecting University property have been put in place
because of the extensive damage occurring on campus.
     These protective devices include placing limestone
discs, referred to as "hockey pucks," on existing cap stones
and other surfaces that have been targets of abuse in the
past.
     The discs discourage skateboarding or pegging on
exposed surfaces. An example of these "hockey pucks" can be
seen at the front entrance to Lammot du Pont Laboratory,
Walter said.
     New construction and renovations on campus also will
have features that discourage abuse of exterior surfaces.
These include placement of Hershey Kiss-shaped discs on
exposed exterior surfaces. An example of this design can be
seen on the stone sills at the east side of the new Academy
Street section of Colburn Laboratory.
     While these physical reconfigurations can help to
minimize damage to the campus, Dick Walter stressed the need
for the University community to participate in protecting
the campus property from defacement. Employees are urged to
report inappropriate incidents to Public Safety at 831-2222.
Intially, the offenders are given a warning. If they receive
a second warning, they will be arrested and held accountable
for the damages.
     To date, the majority of the individuals who have been
apprehended and prosecuted have not been members of the
University community.
     Tom Vacha, facilites management, said he encourages a
spirit of cooperation between parents and the University in
addressing the issue.
     "Parents should be aware of the whereabouts of their
children," Vacha said. "They should also know they will be
liable for any damage caused by their children."
     Walter said this issue will be diligently pursued in
the next year to reduce incidents that necessitate repair.
                                               -Jerry Rhodes