Safety is of utmost importance at Abbeville skateboard park

Tuesday’s rain kept it empty for most of the day, but the skateboard park in Abbeville is off to a good start.
The facility, located at A.A. Comeaux Park, officially opened in April. Skaters from around the area have taken full advantage of the park, which developed as a joint venture among the City of Abbeville, the Abbeville Rotary Club and the Vermilion Parish Police Jury.
“We are very pleased with the participation and the number of children using the skate park,” Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza said. “We have seen pretty large numbers there on Saturday’s and Sundays.”
While fun is the main objective, safety is the key to getting there. The city has put up a more than 6-foot-tall sign that clearly states the rules, and what could happen if those rules are not followed.
Among the risks stated: Use of the Skate Park facility may result in DEATH, PARALYSIS, BRAIN DAMAGE, CONCUSSION, BROKEN BONES or other serious injuries. Use of the Skate Park is at your own risk. The sign does not mince words.
“It’s for the protection of the children and the people who want to utilize the skate board park,” Piazza said.
The park hours are from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., at which point the park is locked. The sign reads that “Anytime the Skate Park is locked it is considered closed. Anyone caught in Skate Park while closed will be prosecuted for trespassing!”
While the skate park is open to all ages, there are restrictions for those 10 years and under. All 10-and-under users must be accompanied by a parent. Skaters who fall in that age group must also wear helmets, knee pads and elbow pads.
Along with safety, the sign also covers other basic rules and regulations. No smoking, alcohol, drugs, weapons or abusive language is allowed. No glass containers are allowed, either.
The one for skating safety is not the only new sign at A.A. Comeaux. In fact, there is a brand-new sign to welcome visitors to the entire park. The new welcome sign is in front of Roy Theriot Field and next to the Rec building. It highlights the major fields at the park, including Theriot and Ralph Sellers Field, as well as the various sports played at Comeaux Park.
“It is a great welcome to Comeaux Park,” said Councilman Brady Broussard Jr., whose District C includes the park. “It is our largest park. It replaced the damaged, stained and old sign.
“That sign had been there for decades.”
This sign is made to last.
“It’s metal,” Broussard said, “so it will not deteriorate because of the weather.”
Antoine Harris, a native and Abbeville High graduate, designed the sign.
“It was nice to have a native artist design it,” Broussard said.
The sign is simply nice in general.
“It puts a new face on Comeaux Park,” Broussard said. “It’s very well done.”