GARDINER -- Police are using a state law that prohibits the obstruction of public ways to keep skateboarders off sidewalks and roadways.

Police Chief James Toman said his officers have taken a different approach with skateboarders this year: They informed them, upfront, where they could and could not practice.

Not on sidewalks or streets. And if they use private property, they must get permission.

But those rules have upset some parents and their children.

Since the skate park on Maine Avenue closed, Toman said youths have been skateboarding downtown on Water and Mechanic streets, interfering with traffic.

"We've got many, many complaints from motorists about skateboarders. I've seen it, I've witnessed it -- skateboarders doing their tricks and the boards flying out into the roadway and the kids running out into the street to get their boards. And sidewalks are meant for pedestrian traffic," Toman said.

In absence of a skate park, the best place for teens to ride their skateboards, he said, is on their own property.

Marianne Ringel, of Gardiner, said it has been frustrating for her son, Brian Jortner, 16, an avid skateboarder, since the old skate park closed.

"I have a few ramps in my basement, but other than that, it's illegal to skateboard in Gardiner," Brian said. "I have to go to the Augusta skateboard park on Gage Street in Augusta. Sometimes my parents drive me and there are other times I ride my bike.

"I know a lot of skateboarders in Gardiner not willing to go all the way to Augusta."

The right location is the biggest challenge, officials say, in re-establishing a skateboard park within city limits.

A skate park at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Gardiner opened in 2002 at a cost of about $30,000, but closed within two years when the club moved to the Pray Street School.

That wasn't the only reason the skate park closed. By then, not many skaters were using the park, which was funded, in part, by local merchants looking to draw skateboarders away form the sidewalks in front of their businesses.

Before long, however, vandalism at the park increased.

Hidden behind a banking, Toman said it was hard to monitor activity there.

Toman; Ingrid Stanchfield, the club's chief professional officer; and city Director of Planning and Development Jason Simcock, have looked into establishing another skate park, and Toman said his department wants to play an active part in finding a proper location that works for all parties involved.

"Optimally, we're looking for a location for a skate park that is easily visible by the public and police so that things don't get out of hand," Toman said. "No more out of sight, out of mind. But whether it's a business or whatever, it's location, location, location. And right now it's very difficult finding the right location."

Simcock agreed finding a place within the city to build a skateboard park that is a visible, safe location is a challenge.

Dawn MacMaster of West Gardiner has dreamed of building a skateboard park in memory of her 16-year-old son, Chad, who died two years ago of a cancerous brain tumor.

The family, with the help of Peter Dennis, Chad's middle school teacher, has been trying to raise funds for the project. They have held a few fundraisers and so far raised $1,100. An account has been opened at Gardiner Savings Bank for anyone who would like to donate, Dennis said.

"It's still in the works, there's still a fund. It's just really slow," MacMaster said. "We have a fellow here in West Gardiner who would donate a piece of land to us. It would be a little bit of a travel. Kids would have to come out Highland Avenue to get to it. But at least it's an option."

She said they need to raise at least $20,000 to develop the site, and that wouldn't include equipment.

Dennis said the city still has some leftover equipment in storage from the other skate park.

"Location has always been the issue with them," Dennis said. "I would love to see us maybe get to use the old Oakes recreation area on Central Street, currently owned by E.J. Prescott. I heard a rumor the owner tried to give that back to the city but they didn't want it. It's an ideal site, but you need money to do the work."

He theorized that local contractors might donate the time and material to build a park, if asked.

Other than the location problem, Stanchfield said there is the question of who would own the park -- the city or the Boys & Girls Club. If the skate park is built on private property and used by the public, she said there also is the issue of liability.

"We can't go any further with this until these questions are answered," Stanchfield said. "That's where we are at. To be honest, the skateboard park was wonderful but after the first year it was a constant headache.

If a skate park gets built in Gardiner we don't want to go through what went through with the other one, just so we're not repeating those same issues."

The city also has an ordinance that prevents bicycles on sidewalks. Toman said they should stay on the righthand side of a road.

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, Ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com