Does the Anderson Township Park District require Skate Park users to wear helmets? 
If not, why?

The Anderson Township Park District does not require users to wear helmets, although we do strongly encourage users of all ages to do so.  There are many reasons why helmets are not required on the Skate Park.  First, the Skate Park is a public facility; open for use by anyone during the park’s operating hours (dawn to dusk).  It is much like the hike / bike trail, the basketball court, soccer fields, etc.  Just as we do not require users to wear protective gear while using these amenities, we do not require users to wear helmets while using the Skate Park.  Secondly, if the ATPD was to require the use of helmets, it would be necessary to pay a staff member to monitor adherence to the rule.  To have a paid individual present from dawn to dusk at the park would be cost-prohibitive for the park district and, frankly, there is no money in the budget to cover such staffing.  Thirdly, if the ATPD was to require the use of helmets, the Park District could be legally responsible if someone used the park without a helmet, unknowingly to us, and was hurt.  Again, the ATPD strongly encourages the use of a helmet and protective gear by participants of all ages for their own safety.  However, the decision is up to the user, or the parents’ of the user - just as it is with the use of any public, ATPD facility. 

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