(BIVN) – A discussion on the future of the Pāhoa Skate Park drew a crowd to the community center on Thursday evening.

Prior to the public meeting, word spread through Pāhoa village that the county was considering closing the park – or something to that effect – due to recent acts of Vandalism and alleged disrespectful behavior of some park users.

But the day before, county officials clarified the purpose of the meeting: to discuss a community partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation “to keep the Skate Park a safe drug- and alcohol-free park.”

Once the meeting began, county officials assured those in attendance – including numerous young skaters and their parents – that the park would not be closed, but they still need the public’s help.

What followed was an airing of grievances about what is needed for the facilities, antiquated rules governing the use of the skate park, and the behavior of the hired security guards.