Tempers flare at neighborhood meeting over McClure skateboard park

It was supposed to be a community meeting about a skateboard park, but emotions flared and things turned rowdy. About 70 people turned out at the McClure Park Recreation Center Thursday night near 7th Street and Memorial Drive.

The crowd had come to hear city officials explain their next move after the McClure Skateboard Park was closed last month. The city shut it down, because of safety and neighborhood noise concerns. Supporters of the skate park made it clear they want it reopened right away. One supporter said, “I think we all agree, we don't think the park should be moved. It should stay at McClure.” Another supporter agreed saying, "This is the best thing the city has done for their children in Tulsa since I've been alive.” The remarks were met with enthusiastic applause.

However, when the meeting concluded, tempers flared outside in the hallway. News on Six anchor Paul Serrell was interviewing a neighbor about the teenagers who use the skateboard park. She said they made so much noise that it was lowering their property values, and that the kids who stay after curfew make it difficult to get to sleep at night. But one man said the kids didn't stay out past curfew, and that's when it really got rough. He began to yell to the KOTV news crew that the woman was a liar.

His language peppered with profanity he said, “You're trying to take something away from these kids. It's the best thing that's happened to these kids, and you're trying to take it away from them. You're telling a lie. You ought to be ashamed of yourself for lying."

Things had broken up by the time police arrived. No one was arrested, and no one was hurt in the exchange. The city is supposed to have another one of these meetings next month, because the city officials are still trying to figure out where to relocate the skate park and exactly how much that would cost.