As a skateboarder, I believe Duluth laws are getting out of control. People are making too big of a deal about skating in Canal Park ("Canal Park merchants want skateboard ban," May 14). Yes, I'm aware businesses are annoyed by skaters, but if they want us to move or go to a different area, we will. It's not that big of a deal.
My brother and I are good kids who respect others; when people assume we're bad because we skateboard, it causes some anger and frustration. It's not fair to skaters, and we don't deserve to be treated with disrespect.
I realize some skaters ruin it for others, but they can't ruin it for all of us.
I agree the crowd in front of Amazing Grace is getting out of hand; they just hang around and threaten me and some skaters with whom I skate. They're the ones ruining it for all of us skaters who are just trying to have fun.
Half the time the experienced skaters are at parks or skate spots, but when we all go to Canal Park, we just ride. There's nothing really good for experienced skaters to session in Canal Park anyway. Skateboarding shouldn't be banned in Canal Park because it's fun to just cruise down there and enjoy the nice summer days.
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Duluth is a beautiful city and good for skateboarding, but completely banning skateboarding will make too many skaters and parents mad. If skaters are getting tickets because they were just riding in Canal Park trying to have fun, then parents are going to get really angry. If giving tickets is wasting police officers' time, then why enforce such laws? It's silly and ridiculous. Please, skateboarding is not bad. We're just trying to have fun and do what we love to do. Skateboarding is not a crime.
Dylan Gagnon
Duluth
